Sometimes when we are looking at leadership, we are looking for vision. Vision is one of those things that is hard to describe and maybe even hard to have. Most often when vision is being described we are given examples of leaders that had it.
Ghandi, Mother Theresa and Nelsen Mandela are a few examples that come to mind.
The Visionary leaders are the ones that don’t see it how it is but see it for what it could be. When you have vision you are looking towards the future and seeing the path to get there. Sounds pretty great huh? What if though, when you look out on the horizon, you just see the horizon?
Is vision something that can be taught? Well certainly not in the span of this blog post. But maybe we can start an awareness and a practice. Before you can have a clear vision though, you need to know where you are.
Knowing where you are involves being honest first. Ever hear those people with the self deprecating humor? Sure it maybe funny for a second but you mind it annoying quickly. Sometimes the people are looking for attention sometimes they are trying to beat people to the punch. Whatever it is it forms a language pattern and that pattern begins to be something that they believe. They begin to believe those punches they take at themselves. Before they know it they are that person, they begin to act according to those statements, those jokes. Start with being honest first. Don’t sugar coat and don’t make it tart either. When seeing it ask yourself if thats the truth. If its something that hurts keep asking till you feel better about it. You may find that the truth isn’t that scary but just a misinterpretation.
Read this activity first then do it before moving on.
Close your eyes. Point to your past, point to your future, to your past, to your future.
Where is your past? If its right in front of you then you likely focus on the past. If it’s behind you do you find that you use your rear view mirror a lot? You also might be focusing on your past. Here is something great about vision and your past. Your past doesn’t have to equal your future unless you live there. Did you learn some valuable lessons in the past? Great, keep those lessons and charge forward. Imagine for a moment if you will the future that you want. Take a photo of it, Paint it in bright vibrant colors and make it so real that it is real. Great put that in your pocket for a second. Now see the past, snapshot it. See it as an old photo in black and white. Make it a polaroid picture. Now what do you do with a polaroid picture to make it develop faster? Thats right shake it. Shake it like a polaroid picture. there is nothing wrong with hearing that song in your head right now. Shake it shake shake it like a polaroid picture…..as you shake it notice the image change and the colors change? Thats right its the real future you want. Anytime you see the past just snapshot it in black and white and shake it till you see the future you want.
Awesome so we can see the past, we know the truth of the present. How about that future vision? How bold can you think? You know that thing that just bugs the heck out of you? Fix that! What does that look like? Go bolder! Bolder still. Yeah thats the ticket. Now as you see that vision. Walk down that road between here and there. See what has to happen? Now go tell someone your vision and tell it with zeal! I’ll see you there!
With Gratitude,
Steve Sweeny