Blue Elevator Blog

Vision and Leadership and Effectiveness – Oh My!

Vision and leadership and effectiveness are the proverbial lions and tigers and bears of business and life.  All are big things in and of themselves – even more so, when taken together.  Whether you are a student, a solo entrepreneur, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, all these are necessary for success.

Vision

Vision is where you want to go.  Every successful endeavor must have an end goal in mind.

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. – Prov. 29:18

Leadership

Someone has to take the first step, lead the pack, and drive consensus.  You may have identified the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but that’s just it.  The pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow.  The effective leader discerns the best plan, path, and pace for the journey.

Strength of leadership is enhanced by allowing others to help plot the path.  In fact, your success depends on it:

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. – Prov. 15:22

Effectiveness

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but there is often more than one route.  Contrary to popular belief, all paths DON’T lead to the same place.  It is just as important to work smart as it is to work hard:

If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. – Eccl. 10:10

A simple, yet powerful truth.

Vision and Leadership and Effectiveness – Synergy!

Like ingredients in a cake, the sum of the whole is greater than its parts.  This is the very definition of synergy.

Strong leadership continuously clarifies vision and maximizes effectiveness.

As a leader, it is not enough to merely cast vision; you must be effective in your pursuit of it.  Effectiveness can be measured.  Effectiveness involves the careful and consistent integration of plans, people, and processes.

A strong, smart, and secure leader helps maximize effectiveness by engaging others.  If you are a C-level executive, a business manager, etc., involve others from your team.  Be encouraged to consider a servant leadership stance vs. a command and control style.  This is illustrated in an article by Matt Perman.

As a leader, be encouraged to think systematically:

• Where am I going? (e.g., vision)
• Am I seeking wise counsel from others to ensure everything and everyone is working together?  (e.g., leadership)
• Am I on the right path?  Am I on the best path? (e.g., effectiveness)

If you are a solo entrepreneur, get outside advice from skilled and trusted advisors.  In the process, and whatever your station in life, don’t overlook getting feedback from the silent majority.

Leader vs. Leadership

Being the leader isn’t necessarily leadership.  The confident leader can just as resolutely walk his or her team off the edge of a cliff on the way to the promised land.  Strength is not measured solely by resolve.  At the proverbial end of the day, it’s about leadership.

Being the leader is a position, but leadership is about the following:

• clearly and consistently communicating the vision.
• pursuing effectiveness by soliciting input and empowering others.
• maximizing effectiveness by implementing the best plan possible in order to ensure everyone and everything is working towards the vision.

A little help?

Wherever you find yourself, you don’t have to go it alone.  Help is available.  Asking for help and seeking counsel are signs of strength – not weakness.

You could be on the right path, and soliciting input can confirm it.  You may not be on the best path, and sound counsel may suggest an alternate route.

At Blue Elevator™, we love helping business owners clarify vision, exercise great leadership, and evaluate effectiveness.  Where are you headed?