The Core Desire of Every Visionary Leader

Hope: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

At the 2017 Global Leadership Summit, Pastor Sam Adeyemi shared about the power of a compelling vision. Adeyemi defines a vision as, “The ability to see people, places and things not as they are, but as they could be.”

The individuals who work in our organizations are not looking for a vision statement that will simply be framed and hung on office walls or printed in HR manuals. They are searching for a picture of the future that will be better than their current reality. They are hungry for a purpose that will lead them to live for something more.

They are searching for hope.

Hope is the natural by-product of a compelling vision of the future.

The desire to bring hope to people is a core desire of every visionary leader.

A vision is not a prediction or a guess or an idea. Vision is a clear picture of what the future could be. Vision produces belief that the world truly can be better.

Simply put, vision is…hope.

And if this is the case, then vision is not simply a good idea. Rather, vision is the greatest gift you can give to the people you lead.

There are three ways visionary leaders can provide hope to the individuals they lead.

1) Hope for the Organization

Cast a vision of what could be in the world and how your organization can contribute. Every individual you lead desires to be a part of something greater than themselves. They want to know their contributions to the organization are actually working to create positive change in the world.

As you spread hope to the people you lead, be sure to cast a vision for how your organization is contributing to the betterment of society and culture. Whether you lead a non-profit, a business, a church or a corporate team, find a way to compel your team with a cause grander than financial gain, a large organization or a successful marketing campaign.

2) Hope for the Individual

Cast a vision of whom the individual could become and how you, their leader, can help them get there. Your role as a leader must always be centered around the individuals whom you lead. If you are too busy fulfilling tasks to spend time with individuals, you are not a leader. You are a task manager.

Spend time investing in the hope of the individuals you lead by cultivating a vision for their own personal development. Use specific words and precise vision.  Hope starts in our own souls.

3) Hope for the Individual’s Role in the Organization

Remind this individual why they are essential to the vision of the organization.

This is where you take the two visions you previously created and combine them.

People are not just a name on the payroll filling a role. Rather, they are a unique combination of skills, talents and abilities uniquely contributing to the furthering of your organization’s vision.

Ask them, “Do you feel you are fully utilizing your strengths in your role in this organization?” Prepare to hear honest answers and then take the necessary steps to empower your staff to lead out of their strengths.

Hope is produced when vision is prioritized.

Commit to casting a vision so compelling, the individuals you lead can’t help but be filled with expectation, desire and…hope.