VISION IN LEADERSHIP

WRITTEN BY: Asanya Boluwatife Ndidi

We need leaders of inspired idealism, leaders to whom are granted great vision, who dream greatly and strive to make their dream come through, who can kindle the people with fire from their own burning souls.

         ~Theodore Roosevelt

A leader without vision is a wandering leader, like a rolling stone without a moss.

         ~Asanya Boluwatife

Vision is a critical component of effective leadership. What is vision? Why is vision important in Leadership and how should it be employed?

Vision can be defined as a big picture in the leaders imagination that motivates and inspires people to take action when communicated compellingly, passionately and clearly, thereby ensuring that everyone is working towards a common goal. Simply put, Vision provides a picture, like a sign post describing the leaders goals or direction and means of accomplishing them. Vision is a mental picture of what the future could be through strategic planning and implementation of roadmaps.

Vision provides the power for the leader to be able to motivate, drive and inspire listeners/followers to believe and strive for the vision. It provides the essential spark that makes the difference between people who are just going through the motions and people who are really trying to achieve something.

A visionary leader recognizes that the individual and all stakeholders, the entire nation must align with his vision, have a clear goal and understand their role in making his vision for the future a reality. He brings people together and leads them in a common direction. A visionary leader needs not only have the ability to articulate his vision, he must be able to make his vision a shared vision. 

Vision is essential for leadership. True leaders have visions, they have the potential to view the present as it is and to invent a future out of the present. Vision is a compelling picture of the future that inspires commitment. However, vision looks beyond the immediate future to what the nation can be. It provides a picture of a desired future and encourages people to strive for its attainment and becomes particularly important in times of crisis.

Leaders who lack vision cannot succeed. Vision is not a fantasy for leaders, rather it is a reality that is yet to come to fruition.

The absence of significant progress/development in Africa can be attributed to lack of visionary leaders. One would agree that Africa is led by leaders who lack profound vision and direction to promote innovation that leads to more productive outcomes. Most African countries are like Aircrafts flown by pilots who did not go to flying schools. African Leaders come and go with the same results for decades. The incompetence amongst the leaders is a reflection of our leadership culture. Leaders without vision are impotent to perform and become retrogressive when confronted with difficult situations. Africa needs visionary leaders who will rise up to challenge the status quo.

 The importance of visionary leadership in a developing continent like Africa cannot be overemphasized. In the words of John F Kennedy, “Anyone will awaken when the house is burning down. What we need is an armed guard that will wake up when the fire starts or better yet one that will not permit the fire to start at all.’’ What Africa needs are proactive leaders who will engage the people with compelling and tangible visions that are balanced with discipline, focus and action and every other element of development will fall in place.

Elements of a Successful Vision

1. It must be rooted in the past, address the future and deal with today’s realities.
2. It must be simple, clear, direct, realistic and concrete so as to make it memorable: for your vision to be effective, it must communicate and resonate with people.
3. It must be flexible so as to accommodate different ways of making the vision a reality.
4. The leader must personify his vision; it must be reflective of his core values, character, beliefs, actions and culture.
5. It must be inclusive and optimistic to allow new visions within the vision.
6. It must be vivid and compelling in such a way that it would motivate and stimulate the people to action. Great leaders use their visions to inspire and motivate, not to dictate.
7. It must be innovative: challenge the status quo, seek excellence, increase everyone’s purpose and motivation. Visionary leaders see what no one else sees and find potential and opportunities in a time of change. Positively disrupting the status quo is essential for growth.

How to Create your Vision

1. Craft an inspiring vision-If you aspire to lead, your ability to inspire people is not optional, it is essential. A properly formulated vision will motivate your followers to support your goals and inspire them in times of crisis. Your vision should be intrinsic, overwhelming, powerful and so inspiring that it annoys everyone else.

2. Look for role models, research and consult widely- start with the past, the history to discover the roots of the spirit of your followers. Tap into the force that sparks their imagination and inspires them. This will help you create a vision that resonates and rekindles passion

3. Make your vision simple, easily understandable and ambitious such that it would be unforgettable.

4. Keep your vision flexible to accommodate unforeseen circumstances or future changes. Do not be boxed up in your vision.

5. Make your vision inclusive_ include every crucial agent in the process of creating your vision. Find out the goals they can be aligned with. Identify why they follow you send what inspires them and key it into your vision.

6. Be optimistic about your vision. Always look at the bigger and brighter future. This will give you the drive to keep pushing when challenges arise.

7. It is important to know that you do not nee have a full detailed plan. Your vision does not have to spring full bloom from your own head. Talk to your team, experts and person who align with your dreams and use your intuition and experience.

GOOD LUCK!