Shared Portraits: Building Collective Vision in Complex Work

What did I learned recently?
One of the most powerful and underrated tools in group work is something we explored in class: the shared portrait.

It’s not a job title. It’s not a mood board. It’s something deeper.

A shared portrait is the collective mental image a group holds about who they are, what they’re doing, and why it matters. It lives between purpose, values, identity, and action.

And in sustainability work, where the goals are complex, the systems are messy, and the timelines are long, it’s essential.

Why Shared Portraits Matter

Sustainability often requires cross-functional teams, new collaborations, and unusual partnerships. People show up with different backgrounds, languages, power dynamics, and assumptions.

Without a shared portrait, you end up with:

• Misaligned expectations

• Communication breakdowns

• Silent conflict

• Disconnected actions

With one, you create:

• Trust and cohesion

• Shared language

• Co-ownership of strategy

• Momentum that lasts beyond the individuals

How Do You Build a Shared Portrait?

1. Start with real conversation
   Go beyond roles and tasks. Ask: What do we believe in? What change are we here to create?

2. Name tensions early
   Alignment doesn’t mean agreement. Conflict can sharpen vision, as long as it’s surfaced and worked through together.

3. Use visuals or metaphors
   Shared portraits don’t need to be literal. A team might describe itself as “a bridge” or “a forest”, metaphors that hold meaning and shape behaviour.

4. Revisit and revise
   As the team evolves, so should the portrait. Make space to reflect and refine over time.

A Sustainability Example

Imagine a city-led climate task force. One group sees their job as “delivering carbon reduction metrics.” Another sees it as “mobilising community resilience.” Both are valid—but without a shared portrait, they’ll likely work in silos.

By intentionally shaping a shared portrait, say, “We are stewards of a just transition for our community”, they can move from parallel play to true collaboration.

Final Thought

In group work, shared portraits aren’t fluff. They are the glue between values and action. In sustainability, where transformation requires collective will, they’re not just helpful, they’re essential.

So next time your team starts something big, don’t just assign roles. Ask:
What do we see when we look in the same direction?

That’s your shared portrait.

— Morena

Building a shared vision is key to implementing sustainable business models, like those discussed in Implementing Circular Business Models: Why Now is the Time to Act. Also, read about leading change in Driving Organisational Change in a World That Resists It.