As I sat across from my client in my “office” at the local Starbucks, it became clear to me that the issue facing him was that of being firmly entrenched in “vision drift”. Although the drift was not substantial (yet), for him, he was heavily feeling the weight of a team disengaging from what was most important for him.
Perplexed, he was not clear on how to help get his team back on course, to realign with what was most important. He could feel the drift, and to his credit, chose to listen to his “gut” and do something about it.
Creating a clear, meaningful vision is a topic that we will be explored more in an upcoming blog. To get the process started, it is helpful to consider the following questions:
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How clear is my vision for what God has called me to at work, at home and in life?
Like the old saying goes, “where there is a mist in the pulpit there is a fog in the pew.” The reality of vision is this,
You will not be able to inspire a vision that is shared by your team – your family – your church – your community, if you are not inspired!!
Why would they engage with you if they see you disengaged? Why would they give you their best if you not at your best? An engaged team means there is an engaged leader – somehow – somewhere – every time!!
A Clear Vision Starts With Identity – Not “Who You Are” But “Whose You Are”!
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How regularly am I prompting envisioning conversations with my team?
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Prov 29:18 KJV
The very real and hard reality of life and business is that vision leaks. Wouldn’t it be great if, once our “vision tank” was filled up, it remained filled, overflowing, vibrant and inspired! Unfortunately, as much as you and I would like that to be true, it is wishful thinking. It just doesn’t work that way.
The gas tank in your car needs filling or you will run out of gas. You need to consume healthy calories EVERY DAY to stay energized. None of us would be naïve enough to expect otherwise. It is the same for us and our teams.
Without regular filling, the vision for your team WILL leak, become foggy, minimal, unclear, and depleted. As that happens their capacity to:
– Provide awesome ideas,
– Press through difficult situations,
– Make great decisions
Becomes compromised.
As a leader you are now faced with damage control. Without ensuring that your team regularly replenishes their “vision tank”, fighting fires and cleaning up messes becomes a daily ritual for you.
Here’s the raw reality for you and for me. With all that fire fighting and cleaning up of messes you are now at risk of your own vision being diminished.
The cycle continues.
How full is your tank? Ask someone who knows you well.
How full is theirs? Do you know?
A Maverick Application:
Eric Liddell, Christ follower, 1924 Olympian and missionary to China, gives us a powerful picture of how he kept his vision from drifting. The Hollywood film, Chariots of Fire, provides a clear window into how he kept anchored to what was most important while under pressure.
Pause for a few moments…….
- Find an “alone spot”. Chose to slow down, be still.
- Focus on some aspect of God and His character that is meaningful to you. Maybe His love for you, His power, His holiness, His grace, His…
- Pray and ask God to speak to you as you watch this short clip.
- Click on the link to watch the clip. When I Run I Feel His Pleasure
- What inspired you?
- Pray and ask God to help you create language that will inspire you and your team.
- Begin to more fully establish your IDENTITY IN CHRIST – down load the attached study and work through it thoughtfully and prayerfully.
A Clear Vision Starts With Identity – Not “Who You Are” But “Whose You Are”!
