The light of the vision
A leader’s vision operates in the community. Like a beacon, a vision creates the light that illuminates the world of the possible. Many are attracted by a coherent vision. Light attracts people of who think about the world of the possible. Vision offers an appeal to the mind; it shows us what can be made of our efforts. As the leader speaks, promotes, and lives the vision, others are drawn into its luminescence. The leader helps to create community through use of a clear vision.
Consider please, who owns the vision? If the leader generated the vision, is it his? I would place the ownership of the vision with the community assembled around the vision, but perhaps a vision is not “owned,” it may have an intellectual value shared by all who hold it.
After all, does the owner of a flashlight own the light? Certainly, the bearer of a bright torch can direct the beam, yet all who enter the illumination may equally enjoy the light. The same could be said of a transformational vision. The leader can present the vision, decide where it will be shared, and adds a certain presence and authentic depth of understanding to the vision.Visions tend to evolve. Leaders are not the only spokespersons of a vision. The more people who grasp the essential idea, the more potent the force in the light can become. The power of the vision rightly belong to the tribe that shares its essence. The leader is like a grandfather for a transformational force that continues to live on beyond the leader’s articulation of it.
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Do you have a clear vision of what you would like to do in five years?
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Categories: leader, inspiration, vision
Tags: leaders in transition Career Impact Coaching Steve Broe
Steve,
I totally agree with your comments on vision. I see leaders all the time that come up with visions as an exercise versus something they are emotionally attached to. In addition, the visions are usually too wordy and don't give people anything to grab onto.
An effective vision is short, clear and understandable at all levels of an organization. Also, it should trigger emotion and something visual in nature that you can see in the future (hence, the term, vision).
When I do organizational assessments, I'll interview the executive team and ask them a lot of the same questions to see how consistent their answers are. One of the questions is, "What's the vision?"
I have yet to experience an organization where all the executives expressed the same vision. If the executive team isn't on the same page, you can imagine how confused the rest of the organization is.
Keep up the thought provoking posts!
Derrick Strand
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Great points, Derrick. Vision statements should grab us, make an emotional connection that helps us add energy to our activities. Lengthy and complicated statements are weak. The vision should point to the magical place that everyone wants to move toward.
In addition to organizational vision statements, I believe that professionals, creatives, and emerging leaders can all benefit from adopting a personal vision statement. We all get discouraged. A great vision statement can remind us what we are working toward. I'm not headed to the land of Oz, but I like to think I can see my personal version of the Emerald City.
I'm glad we've connected, and I look forward to reading more of your insight on your page.
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