Leadership Skills: "I have a dream."
Posted on June 15, 2016 by Alicia Marie, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.
Consider that it’s a vital skill as a leader, to be able to express a compelling vision for the future.
Most of us never articulate vision with the people we’re leading. Consider that it’s a vital skill as a leader, to be able to express a compelling vision for the future – to say or express a potential, a possibility in a way that paints a picture in the mind of the listener. Effective leaders share a dream that others want to share and follow. There is nothing more demoralizing than a leader that can’t articulate where the team is going and why.
I’m not talking about speeches for which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was famous. I’m talking about the possible future spoken, as if it shall be. Yes, even when you don’t know if it will actually occur. If we are not talking about what’s possible day-to-day, month after month, in every meeting, what are we talking about? We are talking about the present and the past. Most often, we are talking about “the problem”.
The problem with “problems” is that the point of view expressed implies that there is something wrong. When we talk about what is wrong, people become afraid. When people are afraid, they can’t think creatively for a viable long-term solution. When people are trying to fix things, they don’t think long term. When people are operating from fear, they also don’t grow and learn.
A leader uses the tool of vision articulation through little nuggets, simple questions, and sound bites, rather than speeches.
For example, “Angela, I can really see you filling the shoes of Director of Operations for this company, in the future.” Then you walk away. Or, imagine there’s an issue in the office and you say, “This will be easy.” or “Next month, there will be funds for…”
It’s our job as leaders to say, “Here’s what I see coming down the line.” When vision articulation is done well and repeatedly, people get inspired by their own involvement, because they find their own vision inside of yours. It gives context and helps the people around you see the big picture. It gives meaning to all the little things they do. Then, people start to share their own vision – it encourages them to reach, step up and create for themselves.
People around you will start naturally stepping into that future. Sometimes it’s just a matter of articulating the biggest and best vision of them. “I like the way you think – I see you handling these issues in the future.”
A well-articulated vision has these qualities:
It is easily understood by others. It paints a visual picture of what it looks like when complete. It has a clearly set direction and purpose. The person articulating the vision is clearly in the experience of what it will be like, when vision is realized. They are not just talking about it; they are in the experience of it. There is passion and enthusiasm present. It is clearly about the people, not about the leader.When done well and repeatedly, others will:
Be inspired and care by participating Inspire enthusiasm, belief, commitment and excitement in members of project Believe that they are part of something bigger than themselves and their daily work Start sharing the vision themselves Feel challenged to outdo themselves, to stretch and reach. They find their vision in your vision.Your ability to do this well will have everything to do with your point of view. If you see things as wrong, as a problem, or as something that needs to be fixed, you will have a very difficult time speaking the language of vision. Learn to ask yourself, “What is the long-term solution here, or how could I see this differently?” Start shifting your own mindset.
Leading Change Program
Our award winning program stresses leadership as a mental and emotional state – a way of being. The participants of this program are supported in their transformation to becoming a leader, and will learn how to access and shift into a state of leadership. Learn more about our Leading Change Program!
About the Author, Alicia Marie
Alicia Marie, Founder and Managing Director of People Biz, Inc., has become a national leader in the field of leadership development. She founded People Biz, Inc. in 2000 with the intention of providing total personal and professional development solutions for individuals, teams and organizations. She specializes in creating customized programs based on desired outcomes that include learning vehicles such as training, professional coaching and consulting.
People Biz, Inc. is a leadership development organization that focuses on transformational leadership initiatives for individuals, teams and organizations. Their award winning leadership program “Leading Change” uses the fundamental principles of Transformational Leadership to not just talk about leadership, but to develop powerful leaders.
