Fifth Century Vision

 Nehemiah’s Vision

 
We can learn much about vision from a study of Nehemiah, the fifth century high official in the Persian court of King Artaxerxes I.  His vision was for the city of Jerusalem; which during its history was destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.  Nehemiah’s story has at its core every element related to vision.   He envisioned rebuilding the wall surrounding the city that had been destroyed by an invader and left in shambles by apathetic citizens.  In the Book of Nehemiah we see: 

• Vision Formed – he was compelled to rebuild the wall.
• Vision Shared – he asked the king for permission to do so.
• Vision Acted On – he organized others to help him in the task.
• Vision Resisted – the “good old boy” network mocked him and tried to stop him.
• Vision Completed – Jerusalem’s wall stood once again.

 
So, what is your vision?  What do you see?  What do you think about that could be or should be?”  Before you make any plans spend time seeking vision. 

 

“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”  Jack Welch

 

Risky Business

 Your Vision will be Challenged

 
I have seen all too frequently people with vision face serious opposition.  Vision has a way of making controlling people nervous and insecure people angry.  You may remember 15-year old Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban, for promoting “Western thinking.”  Thankfully she recovered and has remained a courageously advocate. 

She is not alone. Only a few hundred years before scientists were threatened with retribution, even death, for envisioning “ridiculous” things like the earth being round, and that the sun was at the center of our solar system.  Author Chuck Swindoll asserts, “You haven’t really led until you have become familiar with the stinging barbs of the critic. For the leader, opposition is inevitable.”

 

"Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision. Visions don't change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same, and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan."  John C. Maxwell

 

What Do You See?

 How to Practice Vision

 
When I coach organizations and individuals on the importance of vision, I tell them to start their visionary thoughts with the words “I see…”  “I see…” statements are followed by vision thoughts that are:

• Intense – vision invokes strong feelings.
• Personal – vision is unique to the one envisioning.
• Vivid – vision often takes on the properties of a mental picture.
• Passionate – vision is something that we must do. 

Stepping back and contemplating vision has birthed businesses, started great philanthropic works and helped people like you and I understand our own personal life mission. Jonathan Swift wrote “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”  I have found this process to be nothing short of POWERFUL!

 

"Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion." Jack Welch

Don't Skip This Step

 Beginning to Dream

 
Michael Hyatt wrote an article describing his journey of taking a struggling company from an “ash heap” to a place of success.  He acknowledges his natural bent to think too small. He says, “Through the years, I had learned that if you think about strategy (the “how”) too early, it will actually inhibit your vision (the “what”) and block you from thinking as big as you need to think.”… “The problem is that people get stuck on the how. They don’t see how they could accomplish more, so they throttle back their vision, convinced that they must be “realistic.” 

Taking Hyatt’s advice, to dream big we need to discipline ourselves to focus more on the “what” instead of the “how.”  The level of discipline to do so varies from person to person depending on their personality type.  As an example, I must be very disciplined because I am a strategic thinker. I have to resist the temptation to jump prematurely to strategy.  People with personalities different from mine find it easier to focus on the “what” and avoid jumping to the “how.”

 

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."  Harriet Tubman

 

Leaderships Biggest Task

 What Do You See?

Vision is a picture of what we believe the future will look like.  It is a reality that we anticipate and a belief about what should be.  While I have led organizations and individuals through the steps of strategic planning for some time, the issue of vision is a more recent discovery for me. I have learned that while an organization or person may have a plan for success, if I have them place a greater focus on vision, their strategy becomes better and they are more successful.

 

"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." Warren Bennis