Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) “Where there is no vision, the people perish”
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Great leaders have vision. “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion.” -Theodore Hesburgh
“There’s nothing more demoralising than a leader who can’t clearly articulate why we’re doing what we’re doing.” -James Kouzes and Barry Posner
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.” -Jack Welch
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of articles outlining how critical a vision is. The Disney Institute puts it this way: “One of a leader’s most crucial jobs is to establish the vision for their team or organisation, and then align everyone to work toward it. Through his or her vision, a leader’s goal should be to generate enthusiasm for the future. The vision must feel natural to team members, so they can embrace it and turn it into a reality. That vision must also challenge the team—but in an attainable way—so everyone believes in it, and knows that it can become a reality.”
“Leadership: Seeing further down the road than those around me.” –Bill Gothard
Why vision is crucial?
It is unifying – When a clear vision is defined it provides a gathering point, or common interest, making everyone feel as though they are a part of a greater whole.
Ephesians 1:18 (MSG) “your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do”
It is inspiring – Defining a powerful vision is inspiring. It has a clear motivational effect on everyone. It creates an energy and enthusiasm, increasing commitment and fostering change.
It provides a focal point – Having a vision provides a sense of purpose and direction. Your vision will help you define your short and long-term goals, and guide the decisions you make along the way.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (MSG) And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.”
“When God gives us a vision, He gives us the provision.” – Jan Greenwood