Vision remains a critical component of leadership. “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” – Prov. 29:18
So what do you do if the vision being shared at your church, non-profit organization, school, or business did not originate with you?
Not only can it be difficult to cast vision to those you are leading when the vision comes from your leader, but we live in a world where those we are leading have their own visions and dreams.
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” – Acts 2:17
Our churches need to move from visionary environments to visional environments.
From “you help me accomplish what I want to do” to “I will help you accomplish your vision.” As equippers (Eph. 4:11), we should be freeing others to accomplish their God-given potential and dreams within the context of our values and convictions. As servant leaders, we need to help those we follow lead well and effectively.
Today at Gateway Church in Austin during our staff training time, Rick Shurtz, our Grow Pastor walked us through an interactive experience on effective leadership and casting vision even when it originated from our leader or from those we lead.
Here are 5 summarizing thoughts:
“Effective leaders are about making a difference rather than being known for making a difference.
‘A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.’ – Lao Tzu
1. Find your contribution.
You may not even know how you helped create the vision. Something you did or a conversation you had could have been the impetus for some really good things. For example, check out this 6 minute TEDx talk by Drew Dudley called “Leading with Lollipops.”
2. Find your own personal passion.
Look for how the vision of the one you follow or the ones you lead fits what you may be passionate about.
‘Stop asking God to bless what you are doing. Discover what God is doing & join Him because it is already blessed.’ – Bono’s mentor
“Passionate leaders aren’t loud. They are deep.” – Erika Anderson
3. Find your resistance.
You aren’t alone in this. Work through your own issues so you can help others who share the resistance and even help alter the plan.
4. Get over it.
There isn’t one person who will love everything that we do. If the fruit of the person’s life makes them trustworthy, you can be for them and their vision.
5. Get into it.
“If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” – Kris Kristofferson
If we wait until all is perfect before we go forward, we will rarely make progress.”
Stopping to ask God for a vision , like Bono said, is a great idea. So often we’ll jump in with our own vision instead of waiting to see if God has one for us