“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” -HELEN KELLER
This quote by Helen Keller clearly distinguishes the difference between having a sight and having a vision. You do not need to have eyes to have a vision but imagination. Your vision is what makes you different, makes you dream, makes you work and ultimately makes you a leader.
Leaders are called Leaders because they have a vision, a dream and a direction in which they want others to follow. No one would want to follow a leader without vision. When working in an organization, every employee lives in a world of shared beliefs, values, and goals which is the same as your organization’s leader. As a leader, one must be clear about what he believes and wants to accomplish in life.
Leadership Vision can be defined as the magical lens of leadership. Through this lens, you can foresee the bigger picture of the future and help others see it and make it a reality. When you share this bigger picture with your team, they will feel that they are a part of something bigger, something better and something achievable.
They start to adapt, adjust and align with your beliefs and vision and start working in the direction you want them to. The vision that has its roots in the past, addresses the future while dealing with the current reality, represents you and what you stand for. It not only inspires you but also the people around whose commitment you are demanding and with whom you are going to be the change you want to see.
Simon Sinek once said, “Great leaders must have two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate that vision clearly.” Leadership Vision is not just something to hang on a wall for motivation, but a goal on which every employee will work on, every single day. So, put on the lens of leadership vision and weave something that excites, inspires and captures every heart present in the room including you. Then you must be able to explain your vision and at the same time demand what you need and want. That would be a good starting point to be a great leader.
But to make tens or even hundreds of people follow your leadership vision is not an easy task. First, you must be very sure of your thoughts, because if it doesn’t reflect in your attitude, no one’s going to buy it. Your vision should excite you and ignite the will that you never knew you had. Reflect on your ideas thoroughly and discuss it with the team. Take your time and build around the ideas a little more, in favor of the organization, employees and of course yourself.
Your Leadership Vision Must:
- Reflect your beliefs, values, strengths, and commitment.
- Clearly states the organizational goals, purposes, direction, challenges, and benefits.
- Challenge people to stretch themselves to a new limit every day.
- Encourage to communicate their ideas and thoughts.
- Demand the commitment from the employees.
- Mirror the concept of together we grow.
- Be the reason behind organizational actions.
- Inspire care, loyalty, and teamwork spirit.
Johny Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader”. Visioning requires leaders to convey the common goal to their employees so that they can passionately work towards their common goal. Strengthscape’s Jamavaar helps leaders to create a visual map of their leadership vision. Jamavaar, a living tapestry, is a business workshop that assists leaders to portray their complex ideas into words and images. Jamavaar works hand in hand with the leader to understand the minutest details of the past and the present to craft a clear future vision for the organization.