OWN YOUR VISION

My client called late one night. It's very unlike him.

“Eloise, I don’t think I can do this. This is not for me.”??

He’s getting ready to step up as CEO of the family business. He’s been groomed for this position by his father for the past 20 years.

But that night, it no longer felt right.

I asked him why he didn’t feel this role was for him. His initial answers had nothing to do with the truth. They were mere excuses he was giving himself (and trying to give me) to justify why he wasn’t CEO material.

He was trying to reason his way out of a role he had enthusiastically prepared himself for.

Then we got to the truth: I don’t like where the company is headed and I don’t think this is the right direction for us. I feel like I’m being called to take over the helm of the Titanic right before it hits the iceberg.

BINGO!

Own your vision

No matter if you’re taking over someone else’s business or running your own, one thing remains of crucial importance: you have to know, want, clearly define and own your vision.

You have to create the space, within yourself first, to acknowledge that this vision exists.

That this vision will better serve those that serve you and those you serve.?

A vision that will move all of you forward.

You are the only one, as a leader, that can give that vision a voice and the space to exist, in the outside world.?

A true vision is not only a business matter. It is also a personal one.

Your vision is an extension of who you are, what you value and the legacy you want to build.

How you lead others starts with how you’re willing to lead yourself. The vision you have for others, including your business, starts with the vision you have for yourself.

Own it.

Own your decision

Creating the space for your vision to exist is the internal work. It’s uncomfortable but low risk. No one can shut you down but yourself.

Deciding to own that vision and inspiring others to trust you in bringing that vision to life, that’s the hard part.

It takes courage, commitment and confidence.

It takes a willingness to possibly be wrong, to maybe fail, to potentially succeed and see the vision to fruition.?

As a leader, it’s the first and most important decision you’ll make.

Because every other decision thereafter, will be motivated by and aligned with, that vision.

And every decision your team and employees make thereafter, will be motivated by and aligned with, that vision.

If you expect others to make hard decisions based on your vision, you better be ready to make hard decisions yourself.

Your vision is the guiding principle your company shows to the world and all the company stakeholders. It is what gives purpose and meaning to those that support that vision for and because of, you.?

First, own your vision. Then decide to lead with that vision.

Come hell or high water.

Own the helm

“My vision is the opposite of my dad’s vision. How do I own up to it?”

Once you’ve created the space for your vision to exist, once you’ve made the decision that this is the vision you’re going to lead with, because it’s a vision of service and legacy for all involved, now you need to block out the noise and own the helm.

Noise is all around you.?

It comes from people close to you, stakeholders, people you don’t know, social media… The sources and volume of noise are endless.

And when you start listening to the noise, even a little bit, you risk losing your footing.

Every time you let the noise in, you weaken your foundation.

Noise is not to be mistaken for good counsel or good mentoring.?

Good mentoring and coaching propels you forward, in the direction of your vision.

Noise pulls you away from your vision.

It increases self-doubt.?

Noise is deconstructive and eventually, it wears you down.

It turns you into a shadow instead of a leader.

Leadership requires resilience, discipline and a willingness to take on the burden of the helm.

If you ask others to be disciplined in their everyday decisions as they march alongside you towards your vision, you need to make sure you, yourself, have the discipline to lead the way.

Nobody wants to follow a wishy-washy leader that shifts with the surrounding noise.

Own the helm.

I don’t think my client had much sleep that night.?

By the time we hung up, he was fired up by his vision again.?

He had imagined it for the past 20 years. He knew exactly where he wanted to take his company and now he was confident he could get his people on board.

He was passionate about this vision because it was a direct reflection of him, as a person. And he was ready to step up and courageously own it.

He never really doubted he could be the CEO of the company, he simply didn’t know how to take ownership of his vision.

Everything I’ve shared in this article does not only apply to business, it applies to everything in your life.

Everything you want to achieve starts with a vision, then a decision, then the ownership of your command post.

Everything you want is on the other side of the discipline, courage and resilience you need to ground yourself in.

Own your vision. Own your decision. Own the helm.?

This article is part of the Lead Yourself First Newsletter. If you like this article and would like your copy of my new FREE Audio Training: Relentless Focus, click the link here: FREE Audio Training: Relentless Focus .

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