Why Leaders Need Vision

Do you have vision?

Vision is often talked about but people pay it little attention. Why?

Because they don’t have any vision. Because deep down they’ve been conditioned to believe they can’t have what they want in life.

Societal conditioning breeds self limiting beliefs and people end up living for others, hoping they can find joy and fulfilment in other people.

The problem with this is that other people can’t actually do that work for us. Other people can’t actually make us happy.

So people get stuck. Believing that they are at the effect of others and their circumstances. Not willing to look inward and believe in themselves and their own ability to achieve anything and everything they desire.

Why do people do this?

There can be a lot of reasons, but for a lot of people it’s because it’s uncomfortable to do the growing and stretching required to have and become more.

If you’re like most people you’ll be able to recognise some of your behaviour in that last point.

Because it’s uncomfortable to do the growing and stretching required to have and become more..

The question I have for you is … uncomfortable compared to what??

Another year wishing and hoping things would be different…

Do you have a clear picture in your mind of what you want your life, career or business to look like? 1 year, 5 years, 10 years from now?

If not, what is it going to cost you if you don’t have any vision?

Einstein said,

“What you see on the screen of your mind is a preview of life’s coming attractions.”

Will you be happy being average??

Will you be happy knowing you could have had what you want, if you had taken some time to get quiet, look inward and ask yourself, “what do I really want?”.

Here’s an easy way to start.

Ask yourself “if time, money or energy were no barrier, who would I be, how would I feel and what would I do?"

Because here’s what I know from experience.

When you are clear on what you want, and you believe you can have it, time, money and energy are no barrier.

Because vision becomes the thing that guides us. It creates a desire to grow and improve.?

Vision embodies our hopes and ideals and it gives us a sense of purpose.?

Vision embodies our hopes and ideals and it gives us a sense of purpose.?

From a business perspective, vision is an expression of what the organisation wants to become and be known for.

For leaders, it’s vitally important to create a compelling vision that connects and empowers your people, because a powerful vision helps you to develop and execute a strategy that succeeds.

When it comes to being a leader in this new era, it’s necessary to not only have business vision, but personal vision as well.?

As I’ve written about previously, a leader can’t truly lead others unless they first lead themselves.?

Leading oneself requires you to be super clear on your vision and having a commitment to pursuing subsequent goals.?

Because, to borrow from something Jim Rohn once said...

"If you don’t have vision, you’ll become part of someone else’s vision."

So, take the time to develop a personal vision and connect your personal vision with your business vision. Because whether it’s for you or your people, connecting organisational vision to individual goals can show an employee that they share a common purpose.?

This in turn can help a business to develop a strong organisational culture, and when you give people a sense of connection, shared purpose and trust in a compelling vision, this helps to pave the way for long - term success.

Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but by what your mind can imagine.

Ellison Onizuka (the first asian-american astronaut).

If you enjoyed this article click the subscribe button below, and you'll receive a new one just like it each fortnight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Balshaw is a transformational coach and leadership consultant who helps businesses to enhance the leadership capabilities and transform workplace culture so they can attract and retain star talent for their team. David’s leadership development programs focus on Leadership, Business Transformation and Performance Mastery. Together we are creating a new era of leadership and creating the leaders of tomorrow, today.