***This article is inspired by chapter 8 of John C. Maxwell’s book
“Developing the Leader Within You 2.0” – “The Indispensable Quality of Leadership: Vision.” ***
Vision always precedes productive activity or else your followers will simply stay busy on trivial tasks.
As leaders, we must lift up our eyes from the daily grind and look farther out than our followers. While the tasks of the day are important to accomplish, vision for the future is what leads to continued success. If you don’t have a vision, it is like the blind leading the blind. You will get somewhere, but it may not be where you want to arrive.
Followers rely on their leaders to show them the way forward. You can’t do that if you don’t know where you’re going. When you are driving your car you must look down the road instead of at the hood or in the rearview mirror to safely advance. In leadership, the rearview mirror represents the past and the hood represents the present. Staring at either too long will derail your progress in the future.
Author Warren Bennis once stated, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
Steve Jobs once said, “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”
Vision energizes.
Vision inspires.
Vision motivates.
Vision gets you through the days when you want to quit.
John C. Maxwell says, “Nothing will happen unless you are willing and able to paint a clear picture of your vision for people and mobilize them to join you.”
Do you have a clear vision for the future?
Are you casting vision for your followers?
Are you looking out to the future more than looking down at today or behind to the past?
If you want to achieve great goals and objectives, you must invest consistent time gaining a clear picture of your desired future, then share it with your followers so they will be motivated to press on through the mundane daily tasks. You must equip them to take effective, productive action.
Leaders are the carriers of vision. Just as a virus can spread exponentially from one person, so can vision. Leaders have to go first and begin infecting people with it.
Action Steps:
- Invest time to think about where you are going.
- Write a compelling description of your preferred future.
- Begin sharing your vision with those you lead.
- Equip them to take action so you can achieve the desired results together.
- Define clear metrics and evaluate your progress over the next few weeks and months.
You can become a visionary leader if you dedicate the time and attention.
I believe in you.
Go make it happen.
Until next time…make today GREAT!
If you need help taking your life or leadership to the next level, click HERE to learn more about my personal and executive coaching services.
