Foresight, Insight, and Oversight

By John Houston

August 18, 2020

In June, I shared an article titled, “2020 Vision” and I described what it means to truly have vision for our companies, organizations and families that we lead; especially in this very unpredictable year of 2020. I want to develop that concept even further today as I talk about three types of vision or “sight” that we need to have to lead our people well.

The first type of sight is FORESIGHT. Foresight allows us to know what is ahead and how it connects our present to our future. Every leader needs to carve out time each month specifically for foresight. I personally do this by spending time with my executive team looking at market trend data and our own company performance data to see where we are headed (or need to be headed) in the next 3 years. We always have a 3-year strategy plan in front of us at all times. Foresight is key to leading your people towards an intentional target.

The second type of sight is INSIGHT.  Insight is like viewing life/business through a microscope. This perception gives us an understanding of why things happen in life/business. As leaders, we need the right tools and team members to help us look closely and gain insight regarding our finances, processes, systems, and human resources. What strategies, reports, or leaders do you need surrounding you to help you gain insight in each of those areas? Trust me, it’s worth the investment to put those in place! 

Insight is also key on a personal level in helping determine the underlying motivations of the heart. When I take time as a leader to self-reflect in prayer with God, I gain insight and revelation about myself. I become more self-aware. Self-awareness, paired with the conviction of the Holy Spirit, eventually leads to change in my behaviors.  This usually works out pretty well for those who work closely with me every day!

The third type of sight is OVERSIGHT. Oversight puts life/business into context, as it must be exercised daily in how we manage or “shepherd” our teams. 1 Peter 5:2-3 says, “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion (forcefully), but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” What a great verse! Let us remember to not domineer over people as we provide oversight for our staff. Instead, let’s lead by example! Let’s show our people what it looks like to use oversight to lead self-disciplined and self-managed lives eagerly and willingly!  When we lead well with oversight,  it allows us to carry on the vision God has given us for our life/business to our children, their children, and generations of leaders to come. 

For me, 2020 vision is all about God’s vision for my life. Whether you are running a business of your own, leading people and teams towards achievement of goals, or whether you want to increase your vision for the lives of your family and friends, remember that true Godly vision consists of foresight, insight and oversight that ultimately come from His sight.