Vision

Vision.  

A behavior and characteristic of a Rare Leader™

With all the focus and talk of the new year and a new decade, I thought it appropriate to begin this study looking into the characteristics and behaviors of leaders who possess Vision.

“Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with Vision is making a positive difference.”...Joel A. Barker

As a Rare Leader™, you should have a clear picture of where you are going, not only as a goal, but you should also have a a commitment to get there.  The Rare Leader™, while believing objectives are possible and constantly revised, is designing plans of action energized by a strong purpose to become effective.

Vision should be clearly visible to you, and perhaps, it may be to others. However, your Vision is not personal...when it’s personal it becomes a purpose. Your Vision is something that is likely to occur, whether you actively work on it or not. Your Vision is not something you aspire to achieve...that aspiration is a goal.

To isolate your Vision, extrapolate what you observe around you that is important. Why did this happen? Where is this trend going? What data supports this?  When you embrace a trend, ask what will happen if this continues. Be patient. You can not force or acquire something you don’t see.

We all know and agree that successful people and successful leaders surround themselves with people who offer them a challenge. Why not find someone with thought provoking ideas that reflect what they see in the world?  People who see trends that become their Vision are people that you should spend time with.

Be careful when you manufacture your mission in life, it can be a trap to shut out the light of vision. This limited view of the world will certainly inhibit your Vision.  Be open to the possibilities before you.  Vision will happen, and your resulting goals can become projects that will accelerate your Vision.  

Stressing out will not bring vision to life.  Vision should become so clear that it does not take great effort to guide your actions and orient your projects.  If you push yourself to find a vision, you might forget it is actually a healthy by-product of living fully, and opening yourself to possibilities.  (We’ll talk more about your balanced life and living fully in the future.)

Take the first step to become a Rare Leader™ and allow your Vision to inspire you, and you can in turn empower the people you are fortunate to lead.