Leadership = Vision
I took the Labor Day weekend to sit back and think about what I wanted to write about on this blog. There were several thoughts that crossed my mind but I kept coming back to the topic of leadership.
Without going into too much detail, over the last year and a half or so, I’ve learned and witnessed a lot about leadership. I’ve had an insider’s view of a gubernatorial campaign, how it works, and what it takes to be the chief executive of a state.
I’ve also seen a firsthand account of poor and inept leadership. (For the record, these examples were in no way connected to my job or the Governor’s race.) I’ve seen how it doesn’t work and a prime example of how to NOT be a chief executive, but also how to tear down an organization and its people.
One of the things that I most admired about Zach Wamp was his vision. It drove his campaign for Governor and it was a driving force for those of us who worked for him. He believed that Tennessee’s next Governor should go beyond managing the” problem of the day.” Zach felt deep down that Tennessee needed a Governor that was thinking 10-20 years down the road. He wanted to set an agenda that was good for today and even better for tomorrow.
With that in mind, Zach wrote his “20/20 Vision for an Even Better Tennessee.” We posted it on his campaign website for all to read. I had many folks ask me if Zach really did write the plan or did his “consultants” actually write it. My response was always, Zach’s vision was Zach’s vision. He wrote it—he articulated it – he communicated it.
I would work for Zach Wamp at any time and any place. I voted for, and wanted to follow Zach, because he was a leader. He may have fallen short in his bid for Governor, but no one can say that Zach Wamp lacked vision. Those of us who worked for Zach spent long hours, worked weekends and sacrificed time with loved ones because we were inspired by that vision. Ask any of us who worked for him and I can assure you we can all recite Zach’s "20/20 Vision for an Even Better Tennessee” point by point.
Ironically, and almost in parallel with my time with Zach Wamp, I also saw a firsthand example of a leader who has no vision – no articulation of a vision – no communication of a vision. As a result, that organization is now suffering.
John Maxwell’s book, The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader, says this about vision:
Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensible. Why? Because vision leads the leader. It paints the target. It sparks and fuels the fire from within, and draws him forward. It is also the fire lighter for others who follow that leader. Show me a leader without vision, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. At best, he is traveling in circles.
This second experience has often led me to this analogy. You would never get on an airplane without a pilot that is going to an unknown destination. When you sit down in a plane, you want to know there is someone flying the plane and that he knows where he’s going.
It’s the same with a job or an organization. Before you invest your time and energy into it, it’s best to know where you’re going, and how you’re getting there.
I’ve been struck by the comparisons that I’ve been allowed to witness through these two very different experiences. At one instance I’ve been inspired and motivated by the vision of one leader and often confused and infuriated by the lack of vision of the other leader.
One leader I chose to follow, one leader I’ve chose to abandon.
Zach often quoted Proverbs 29:18 in his stump speeches. That particular verse reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It’s very true. Whether you work in the public or private sector the future success of an organization depends on several factors, but none is more important than the leader’s vision for that organization.
If you don’t know the vision for your organization, ask. If the leader of your organization cannot emphatically answer that question, then there are probably some more serious questions that need to be asked.
NOTE: I mentioned this earlier in this post, but I want to reiterate a point to clear up any confusion. When I am referring to the poor and inept leadership that I've witnessed over the last year and a half, it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my job at AkinsCrisp NOR does it have ANYTHING to do with the Governor's race.
I am proud to associate myself with AkinsCrisp Public Strategies. When I come to work everyday, I know the vision that my bosses have set forth for their company. I know that I'm fortunate enough to be with one of the best and most respected public strategy firms in Tennessee.
My reference to the organization under poor leadership is vague, and I realize that. It is vague because I do not have permission to use names and organizations and it is not my intent to speak ill of anyone. I used this as an example only to show the contrast in leadership and vision that I have been privy to over the last year and a half.
Without going into too much detail, over the last year and a half or so, I’ve learned and witnessed a lot about leadership. I’ve had an insider’s view of a gubernatorial campaign, how it works, and what it takes to be the chief executive of a state.
I’ve also seen a firsthand account of poor and inept leadership. (For the record, these examples were in no way connected to my job or the Governor’s race.) I’ve seen how it doesn’t work and a prime example of how to NOT be a chief executive, but also how to tear down an organization and its people.
One of the things that I most admired about Zach Wamp was his vision. It drove his campaign for Governor and it was a driving force for those of us who worked for him. He believed that Tennessee’s next Governor should go beyond managing the” problem of the day.” Zach felt deep down that Tennessee needed a Governor that was thinking 10-20 years down the road. He wanted to set an agenda that was good for today and even better for tomorrow.
With that in mind, Zach wrote his “20/20 Vision for an Even Better Tennessee.” We posted it on his campaign website for all to read. I had many folks ask me if Zach really did write the plan or did his “consultants” actually write it. My response was always, Zach’s vision was Zach’s vision. He wrote it—he articulated it – he communicated it.
I would work for Zach Wamp at any time and any place. I voted for, and wanted to follow Zach, because he was a leader. He may have fallen short in his bid for Governor, but no one can say that Zach Wamp lacked vision. Those of us who worked for Zach spent long hours, worked weekends and sacrificed time with loved ones because we were inspired by that vision. Ask any of us who worked for him and I can assure you we can all recite Zach’s "20/20 Vision for an Even Better Tennessee” point by point.
Ironically, and almost in parallel with my time with Zach Wamp, I also saw a firsthand example of a leader who has no vision – no articulation of a vision – no communication of a vision. As a result, that organization is now suffering.
John Maxwell’s book, The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader, says this about vision:
Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensible. Why? Because vision leads the leader. It paints the target. It sparks and fuels the fire from within, and draws him forward. It is also the fire lighter for others who follow that leader. Show me a leader without vision, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. At best, he is traveling in circles.
This second experience has often led me to this analogy. You would never get on an airplane without a pilot that is going to an unknown destination. When you sit down in a plane, you want to know there is someone flying the plane and that he knows where he’s going.
It’s the same with a job or an organization. Before you invest your time and energy into it, it’s best to know where you’re going, and how you’re getting there.
I’ve been struck by the comparisons that I’ve been allowed to witness through these two very different experiences. At one instance I’ve been inspired and motivated by the vision of one leader and often confused and infuriated by the lack of vision of the other leader.
One leader I chose to follow, one leader I’ve chose to abandon.
Zach often quoted Proverbs 29:18 in his stump speeches. That particular verse reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It’s very true. Whether you work in the public or private sector the future success of an organization depends on several factors, but none is more important than the leader’s vision for that organization.
If you don’t know the vision for your organization, ask. If the leader of your organization cannot emphatically answer that question, then there are probably some more serious questions that need to be asked.
NOTE: I mentioned this earlier in this post, but I want to reiterate a point to clear up any confusion. When I am referring to the poor and inept leadership that I've witnessed over the last year and a half, it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my job at AkinsCrisp NOR does it have ANYTHING to do with the Governor's race.
I am proud to associate myself with AkinsCrisp Public Strategies. When I come to work everyday, I know the vision that my bosses have set forth for their company. I know that I'm fortunate enough to be with one of the best and most respected public strategy firms in Tennessee.
My reference to the organization under poor leadership is vague, and I realize that. It is vague because I do not have permission to use names and organizations and it is not my intent to speak ill of anyone. I used this as an example only to show the contrast in leadership and vision that I have been privy to over the last year and a half.
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