The best way to predict the future is to invent it!
“The most successful leader of all is the one who sees a picture not yet actualised. He sees the things which belong in his present picture but which are not yet there” US political scientist Mary Parker Follett once wrote. And she’s right because if you don’t know where you are going and can’t see it, how are you going to get there?
What does your vision of the future look like – what's the image? When you make colleagues travel with you, what will they see?
Followers actually want a leader with a compelling vision of the future and research shows they respond to a leader who can articulate a vision reflecting their own aspirations. It needs to be engaging, capture their hearts and get them to pay attention. Those who hear it should want to be a part of it.
So what does your vision of the future look like – what’s the image? When you make colleagues travel with you, what will they see? Will they be able to visualize it, remember and make an effort to achieve it?
Great leaders provide inspiring visions and passionately believe they can make a difference by inspiring people to achieve more than they ever dreamed possible. You must be able to provide a clear picture of a change beyond the horizon with a realistic image of what could become. Only then can you with your attitude get people enthusiastic and passionate about playing their role in reaching your destination.
Once all your colleagues have a vision of your aims and goals you can set out to reach them. It is a bit like the old saying: “If you don’t know where you’re going, then for sure you won’t get there.” Warren Bennis says of vision: To choose a direction, an executive must first have developed a mental image of the possible and desirable future state of the organisation.
The best way to impact others is to convey your vision in a dramatic and enduring way. If you bore them, or they don’t really believe in it, the impact will be next to none. A company who buys the grudging compliance of its staff is practically not going anywhere while enthusiastic and participating employees are a crucial aspect of making a vision come true.
A vision should ideally be of long term challenging goals. The odds of realizing the vision may actually not be more than fifty percent, but the company must believe it can. So aim for something worthwhile that will make people stretch themselves to succeed. If not they will not make that extra effort essential for success.
You need to get to the stage where executives and managers can live the visions and missions, be seen doing so and constantly communicate them to their colleagues. And chances of that happening without a mental image is slim. It’s best is to create a noble vision that elevates the energy, enthusiasm and passion of everyone in the company.
And don’t forget to make everybody see a benefit in enabling the vision to come true. There’s no need to worry about laying out the vision in details, it’s the direction that counts. But do remember that a good vision will evolve over time. Having a vision can be a catalyzing force in our lives, but don’t expect to travel a linear path from point A to point B to realize it because no matter how good the vision it has to adapt to an ever changing world.
(Photo. PhotoXpress – Olaru Radian-Alexandru)
Tags: future, goal, image, inspire, invent, leadership, prediction, success, vision
January 31st, 2010 at 05:33
You're absolutely correct, Catarina – if you have no direction you certainly won't get anywhere, and the vision has to be communicated in a way that ensures everyone understands it and wants it to happen.
Richard Olivier – the son of the famous actor Sir Laurence Olivier – has written a great book called Inspirational Leadership (it draws on Shakespeare's greatest leader, Henry V) which really shows the importance of this.
A McKinsey survey last year also pointed to the importance of articulating a clear vision and that people are expecting their leaders to be inspirational – have a look at my blog, " Leadership for the New Business World" (http://bit.ly/8JuxX) for more on this survey.
It's time for leaders to lead again.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:47
Great Article again…
I must accept…You are absolutely "Right…"
January 31st, 2010 at 17:01
Pity there is such a dispute amongst leaders about the importance of having a vision, isn't it? How can you lead a company towards a lucrative future without conveying a vision that people can identify with and get passionate about achieving?
January 31st, 2010 at 17:05
Glad we agree!
February 1st, 2010 at 15:08
Could someone translate the article into English?
February 1st, 2010 at 18:47
Not sure what bothers you "Mazza"? Maybe it would be a good idea if you explaines.
February 7th, 2010 at 15:33
That's true. But not all thankfully.
February 7th, 2010 at 14:52
Good article!
It's too bad that too many leaders, who are in a position of authority, get caught up in the day to day politics of power, greed and self preservation and loose sight of the big picture.
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April 9th, 2010 at 08:29
Keep up the great writing.
April 11th, 2010 at 10:33
Will do!
April 18th, 2010 at 10:04
Just strategies which i was looking for. Effectively put also.
April 18th, 2010 at 12:51
Thank you Holly.
April 21st, 2010 at 07:46
This really is a good article.
April 21st, 2010 at 16:15
We are in need of a change and the info you’ve submitted will help us.
April 30th, 2010 at 00:16
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May 4th, 2010 at 16:52
Even though I recognize your stance I cannot truly accept as true with what you have talked about in this article. It’s not as easy as to just decide what you want to happen.
May 29th, 2010 at 12:55
I have posted an article to http://innovareblog.wordpress.com/ entitled “The future is HAPPENING while you are planning”. It is along the lines that the future is not a fixed unknown in the distant horizon waiting to be discovered. So for as long as what future the leader is inventing is to do with aspirations and fulfillments individuals/colleagues may experience into the future, without necessarily seeking to predict the means by which that will be achieved, then I agree.
June 16th, 2010 at 07:19
I like the title, The best way to predict the future is to invent it, and updated it as my status on facebook!