Vision, the fuel that drives Leaders by Bishop Samuel Noi Mensah.
Almost every person on the planet seems to know the importance of having vision but do we all know why vision is important? Or do we even know what vision really means?
Bishop Samuel Mensah draws from a variety of sources and experiences to show that vision is indeed the fuel that drives leaders. From Lee Kuan Yew to Nelson Mandela, from Martin Luther King Jr to his own father Emmanuel Mensah, from Jack Welch to Steve Jobs, to Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the author shows how deliberate and creative vision was a determinant factor in the successes of these celebrated leaders.
The author argues that the greatest disaster for any society, organization or nation is not the absence of a leader, but rather having a leader with no vision. No nation has developed without a leader with vision.
Visionary leadership is therefore according to him, the capacity to craft, develop and translate vision into action, based on principled decisions which stem from an inner conviction that overcomes all barriers without quitting, and transforms organizations from what they are to what the leader would have them become.
Simply put, vision is knowing tomorrow from today.
Bishop Samuel calls us to realize that each and everyone has a platform to cause a transformation through visionary leadership. Visions are birthed in the hearts of people who are dissatisfied with the status quo, from the refusal to accept things the way they are. Vision is a clear mental picture of how one envisages tomorrow to be, about what could be and should be, and the bridge that connects the present to the future. Vision is born or conceived out of a need, out of passion, out of a burden. It does not exist in a vacuum.
Crafting a vision involves four major elements which must be captured and mastered: Knowing yourself; knowing the environment of your vision influence; knowing your Creator and getting wise counsel about the vision.
Bishop Samuel introduces the S.P.E.C.I.A.L Vision model. SPECIAL is an acronym for: Specific, People-oriented, Empowerment, Challenge, Inspiring, Audacious and Long-term.
A vision needs to inspire as it is difficult to make people winners without their own inner urge. Champions are made from within. So instead of sharing your passion, help people discover theirs by seeking answers to the questions: What do people sing about? What do they cry about? And what do they dream about? These are the salient parameters that reveal people’s true passions.
Reflecting on Africa, the author says that the problem of the continent is not about the people, it is not about the lack of resources, it is not also about the air people breathe or the food they eat; it is about the lack of competent, courageous, creative, caring, intentional and visionary leaders. Africa does not need the sympathy of the world neither does she need aid. What Africa needs is true leaders who can craft and develop vision and strategy, align the relevant and competent people to drive the vision and get things done despite obstacles. The root of the continent’s socio-economic mess is a leadership crisis.
Bishop Samuel insists that vision needs to be turned into action. As Andy Stanley says “People already know there is a problem. They probably have a hunch about the solution. What they need is someone to give them a reason to rise up and do something about it. That is the role of a leader.” And this role of vision casting cannot be delegated by the leader to another person.
An effective leader should master three important vision casting keys: 1. clearly define the problem (Your vision can only attract attention, if it addresses a need); 2. Offer a solution to the problem (Your vision’s relevance hinges on how effectively it addresses the felt needs of the people) and 3. Present a reason for fixing the problem collectively.
For the vision to succeed, the leader needs to embrace it personally: Your credibility as a leader is better established when you live out your vision in a convincing and honest manner. Leading from influence rather that position established your credibility as a visionary leader. The people around you see you as one who has truly embraced their vision and are passionate to do the same. Carrying a vision is an uphill task, if your followers detect that you have quit leading, the obvious will happen: they will quit following.
The author reminds all leaders that a compelling vision will face opposition and that it will determine the battles that the leader will encounter. People are glued to the past and prefer not to change, so a good leader would be wise enough to treat the past with respect.
Great leaders show people the future. They have been to the mountaintop. They have seen the other side and they can’t wait to take others there.
Thank you Archbishop Masimango Katanda for lending the book.
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