7- Day Devotional, Developing The Leader Within You 2.0 Mfano

“Where there is no [vision], people cast off restraint.” – Proverbs 29:18

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” – Hebrews 11:3

Vision is the indispensable quality of leadership. Without it, a team’s energy ebbs, people begin to miss deadlines, team members’ personal agendas begin to dominate, production falls, and eventually team members scatter. With it, the team’s energy surges, people meet their deadlines, personal agendas fade into the background, production increases, and the people working together become a thriving team.

As my friend Andy Stanley said, “Vision gives significance to the otherwise meaningless details of our lives…Too many times the routines of life begin to feel like shoveling dirt. But take those same routines, those same responsibilities, and view them through the lens of vision and everything looks different. Vision brings your world into focus. Vision brings order to chaos. A clear vision enables you to see everything differently.”*

Clear vision does wonders for a team, but it also does wonders for a leader. Among its greatest benefits are direction and passion. For leaders, vision sets direction for their lives. It’s like having a road map. It prioritizes both action and values, helping leaders remain focused. And it creates passion. It lights a fire within leaders that can spread to others. 

As my friend Bill Hybels has said, “Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion. There is no such thing as an ‘emotionless vision.’” Perhaps that’s why Helen Keller, when asked what would be worse than being born blind, answered, “To have sight without vision.”

All leaders have one thing in common. They see more and before others. What makes that indispensable is that it allows their followers to begin expanding their vision and acting on it quicker. If the leader doesn’t see the vision, the people never will.

As a leader, when you discover your vision, it becomes your fire, your inspiration, and your guide. If you haven’t found it yet, don’t give up. Keep looking. You’ll know it when you find it. And when you do, nurture it, embrace it, own it, and paint a compelling picture of it to others.

Because vision is the indispensable quality of leadership. Without it, you will never develop the leader within you to the fullest.

* Andy Stanley, Visioneering: God’s Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 1999), 9.