The Vision in Leadership
First, what’s first: Without a vision, there’s no leadership. As simple as that.
In simple terms, a vision is a goal, a target. A vision is a picture of the future you want in your life.
What I’m talking about is not a diminished version of the vision like “focusing on the means instead of results”. I’m talking about a specific destination. For example, a vision is “a man on the moon by the end of the 1960′s”.
In his best selling book “The Fifth discipline” Peter Senge states the following about vision:
“It can truly be said that nothing happens until there is vision. But it is equally true that a vision with no underlying sense of purpose, no calling, is just a good idea – all ‘sound and fury, signifying nothing’ “.
The sense of purpose is built upon the experiences and the knowledge of the group that the leader has. It is part of the relationship that leadership entails between the leader and followers.
One of the classic examples of vision is Martin Luther King Jr’s memorable speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (August 28th, 1963). Besides the charismatic tone, the vision was so vivid and clearly stated that no one hearing couldn’t help but get it, he really moved his listeners.
A fragment of the speech, it’s so inspiring that even without hearing it, you can almost see the images Mr King’s is presenting. That my friends, it’s a vision.
Interestingly, for Kouzes & Posner in “The Leadership Challenge”, what really matters in a vision is the appeal of the message to the audience, not the eloquence. It’s totally congruent with Senge’s position. The key to make a message appealing is to understand others’ dreams, and finding common ground to build a shared dream. In essence to have a purpose.
At last, K&P state that a leader has to practice three essentials to enlist others on their vision:
- Discover and appeal to a common purpose
- Give life to a vision by communicating expressively, so that people can see themselves in it.
- Listen deeply to others
Remember, the vision is the ultimate goal, your destination. As a leader, your Job is to formulate the vision, communicate it, and finally work the way to reach it.
Be Alert, Be A Leader.
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3 comments
thank u very much with your inspiring staff u sent us.i didnt knw the need to have purpose in life and have goals .but all thanks to you .i would love to keep on recieving more inspirin staff from you
you are making a difference in peoples lives
yours inspired
kudda
just want to appreciate so much your site regarding about leadership,if possible you can send a materials or books regarding about leadership skill it is a great help to me specially in handling people or a congregation.thanks and GOD bless.
May God bless your effort to help others like me.
Creativity requires a lot of commitment. If you are the type of person who can commit to something and who does not give up, then you are a prime candidate to be a creative thinker.
Thank you.
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