The Power Of A Vision Statement For Leadership Development
By Larry Boyer, Career Coach & Personal Branding Strategist
Today we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the U.S. Dr. King means many different things to people and today I'd like to honor his life by sharing how you too can use the same tool he used to change the course of history. Successful leaders have a clear and compelling vision statement that motivates others to action.
You've undoubtedly heard Dr. King's "I Have A Dream Speech", and today I'm asking you to listen to it in a different way. Look at speech as a vision statement, something everyone should have in order to be successful. Let's start with defining what a vision statement is about:
Your vision is how the world looks as a result of the work you do in your life. Your vision is bigger than you and requires other people to help you achieve that vision.
Your vision is about the result of your efforts every day, not the tasks themselves. Sometimes you'll hear people share their visions when asked "What do you do?" You might hear something like "I'm helping create a world where families can develop a financially secure future" instead of "I'm a financial planner". When you know your vision you will feel more energized about the work you do. Combine your vision with your leadership and you start to make your vision a reality. The most successful and happy people have clear visions and then lead others to help them come true. It doesn't matter whether your vision is technology, food, finance or human rights. It is about having the vision and then the leadership to make it happen.
With this context in mind, read the words excerpted from of Dr. King's speech. Think about what has happened in America since this speech. When Dr. King gave this speech it was unimaginable that an African American could be President of the United States. And while there are still problems with race relations in America, think about how far things have come. How closer we are to Dr. King's vision. Watch the video (at the bottom of the page) as well to see the power of it all come together.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
What do you think? How much of Dr. King's vision has become reality? How about your vision? Do you know your vision? What are you doing to make your vision a reality?
For more information on Visions see these articles:
Friday's Rocket Fuel: Vision Your Success
Leadership Development: 5 Tips For Maintaining Your Vision