Vision – Part 2: The Outward Component

When it comes to leadership, clichés abound. Perhaps you have heard or even used maxims like “If you think you are a leader and no one is following, then you are just taking a long walk” or “there is no I in team.”

Visionary leaders understand that “Leadership is a team sport.” A leader with vision minimizes his impact if there is a failure to communicate that vision. “Titles” do not guarantee “buy in” from those being led. 

In Vision – Part 1, I addressed The Upward Component of the Biblical leader Caleb: he was dependent on and obedient to God.  He had a big vision because he had a big God. In Numbers 13:30 and 14:7-9, we see Caleb passionately communicating and casting vision. He is a man of action with a can-do attitude.

From examining Caleb and other Biblical leaders I want to suggest six components of vision casting:

1. Create the Vision: “Creative ministries move ahead on tracks that have been laid to the horizon.” Dr. Howard Hendricks
2. Define the Vision: “Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.”  Christopher Robin
3. Articulate the Vision: “Vision plus communication is the winning profile of leadership. Those who can articulate their vision become for God a fulcrum with which He moves the world.” Calvin Miller, The Empowered Leader
4. Clarify the Vision: “Armed with clarity, people are more likely to align their resources with that purpose in an efficient manner.” George Barna, The Power of Vision
5. Sharing the Vision: Vision can be shared with the masses but it is passed on through one on one mentoring.
6. Repeat the Vision: “Old promises must pledge themselves each day or un-renewed, pass quietly away.” (Old Proverb)
   

I think it is worth mentioning that in Numbers 14:10 we see that the people rejected the vision. They wanted to stone Caleb. We have to remember that vision casting can unite but it can also divide. GK Chesterton expressed it well when he said, “It isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem.” 

I would love to hear your thoughts on being a leader of Vision. In the next blog (part 3), I will address the character of a visionary leader.

Download: Vision – Part 1: The Upward Component