When it comes to sustained success, vision matters more than strategy. Scores of studies have proven this statement, and millions of business leaders believe it. Yet few executives understand what vision is. They embrace the idea, but ignore the implementation - a disconnect that threatens companies striving for growth in a volatile marketplace. Organizational expert Mark Lipton argues that this "believing-doing" gap exists because today's fast-paced world demands short-term fixes-pressuring executives to make tactical decisions that ultimately create larger strategic problems down the road. But Lipton shows that vision has more substance than leaders think-and that it is an essential factor in building scalable organizations that last for the long haul. Based on extensive research and real-world consulting work with executives implementing the scaling process, Guiding Growth provides fresh examples of established and new firms that have developed powerful growth visions. Moving beyond token "mission statements," Lipton outlines a step-by-step process for establishing an actionable vision, presenting it to the company, and embedding it into the organizational fabric. Illustrating how visions become guiding forces for day-to-day behavior and overall company direction, Guiding Growth reveals how companies can stay their course, even as they grow.