How to Share Your Vision in Times of Adversity

We live in a time where the world is filled with fear, anxiety, anger and frustration. It is difficult for many of us to see beyond the problems of today, and see a "Promised Land" version of our future. As a leader, how can you share your vision of a time when we all work together to solve the world's biggest challenges?

A critical leadership communication skill is connecting your audience to your vision for the future. Today, we honor the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King and highlight how he used his heroic voice to shape the future.

“And I’ve seen the Promised Land.? I may not get there with you.??But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!”

In his speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, Dr. King claims to have seen the Promised Land, a vision of what America could become.?What images did he imagine, and how did he use these images to help America visualize the future?

5 years earlier, Dr. King described several images in his iconic speech “I Have a Dream”.?He began by sharing abstract images that described the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.?He transformed these into concrete images, rich with details that sparked the emotions and imagination of his audience.

AP file photo. The King family in 1966 in a last official portrait.

Vision #1: My Four Little Children

“My four little children will one day live in a nation?where they will not be judged by the color of their skin?but by the content of their character."

Like all parents, Dr. King wanted to create a better future for his children.?He raised his children in a time when Americans were judged by the color of their skin.?His children witnessed and experienced discrimination, segregation and violence.??

Dr. King turned his abstract idea of a "better future" into a concrete snapshot.?He could imagine a future point in time when his children would walk into a formal gathering and experience something very different.??

He could see his sons wearing handsome suits and his daughters wearing beautiful dresses.?As they enter the room, the people inside would recognize the character of each child. His children would be defined by the positive impact that they have created in the world.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton. June 2, 2010

Vision #2: The Table of Brotherhood

“Sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners?will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

At a time when segregation was taking place in schools, neighborhoods, and the workplace, Dr. King wanted to bring Americans together in the places where we learn, where we live and where we work.?When these places are filled with diversity and inclusion, we create a world that works for everyone.

Fast forward to a 2010 event at the White House, featuring Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

Stevie Wonder represented the “sons of former slaves”.?His mother was born in Eufaula, AL, a town that authorized $150,000 in funding to purchase slaves for railroad construction in 1859.

Paul McCartney represented the “sons of former slave owners”.?He was born in Liverpool, England, a city where British slavers shipped 1.5 million Africans across the Atlantic in the 18th century.

Dr. King envisioned black men and white men sitting together at a table.??This vision would lay ground work for future collaborations. ? It led to a day when two world class musicians would collaborate and perform their song “Ebony and Ivory” in the White House, broadcasted to integrated audiences across the globe.

Photo: Department of Education. May 6, 2014

Vision #3: Children Hand in Hand

“Little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands?with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

At the time of this speech, the Supreme Court had outlawed segregated public education facilities (1954).? The Civil Rights Act (1964) outlawed any state and local laws requiring segregation.?The enforcement of these laws was extremely difficult and filled with racial tension.

When children from different cultures grow up as sisters and brothers, they are able to learn together, and be prepared for a day when they would teach together and lead together.?Dr. King’s vision manifested into student diversity in the classrooms, teacher diversity in public schools, and leadership diversity in the U.S. Department of Education.

The Workout: Share your Vision

With the world facing a multitude of challenges, we count on leaders like you to have and share a clear vision for a better future. It is the perfect time to unleash your Heroic Voice!

Follow this process to share your vision in a way that communicates trust, creates connection and builds relationships.

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

Describe the world problem that you are dedicated to solving. Use the skill of relatability to connect with the minds in your audience. Share with your audience how them problem has or will show up in their lives. Highlight the urgency of the problem and the importance of finding a solution today.

EMPATHIZE WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE

The skill of empathy connects you to hearts in the audience. When the problem arises, what are core values are repressed or violated? What are the negative emotions triggered by the problem arises: anger, fear, uncertainty, frustration, disappointment. Demonstrating this level of emotional intelligence is an effective way of communicating trust.

ENVISION THE POSSIBILITY

Take your audience on a journey into the future. Find a point in the future when the problem has been solved, when core values have been restored, and when positive emotions fill the air. Like Dr. King, select specific images from the promised land and describe them with rich vivid details that engages their hearts and minds.

Carry these images with you and share them in all of your high stakes conversations and presentations. These images will generate audience support and accelerate our ability to solve the world's biggest challenges.

Expand the Capacity of your Heroic Voice

To accelerate your mission and magnify your impact, consider joining our?Presentation ROI MasterClass. The program prepares you for your most important presentations and conversations. Compose 7 leadership presentations, elevate 6 essential message delivery skills, record your signature presentation.

Schedule an appointment?with one of our executive communications coaches, and learn how the MasterClass will prepare you to generate money, support and reputation from all of your leadership presentations.