Root Your Leadership in a Strong Vision
You Can't Lead if You Don’t Know Where You’re Going

Martin Luther King was one of the most prominent and revered leaders of the Civil Rights movement in the 60s in America. He spoke passionately about his vision of a country in which white and black people could live side-by-side, without skin color blinding us to each other’s value. His most famous speech is his “I have a Dream” speech, which painted his vision clearly and forcefully, and remains to this day one of the most inspiring speeches I’ve ever read.

Dr. King’s leadership was partially based on his personal charisma and inspiration, which he used to forge a vision that has long outlived him. This “visionary” style of leadership is very powerful; it gives people a powerful sense of direction along with an idea of what to expect once they arrive. Creating and conveying a vision relies on passion. If a vision doesn’t engage people emotionally, it won’t be a powerful motivator.

A vision portrays where you’re going. It offers a world--different from the here and now--where people want to live, badly enough to take bold steps to get there.

Find your passion. What do you care about, so passionately that you would overcome any obstacle to get there? Think about the times you’ve argued with someone until you’re blue in the face, refusing to let yourself be swayed by logic, illogic, or emotion, because you believed so strongly. What principles were driving you? (Be honest; if you were simply trapped into wanting to be right, keep searching for a passion that’s about the world around you.)

Create a vision. Thinking about your passion, ask yourself how the world would be different if your passion were made real. How would cities look? What would be the top news stories? Spend some time imagining the world-to-be.

Communicate it. Once you have your vision, communicate it. Let people know. Since it’s rooted in emotion, you’ll automatically present it with intensity. Let the passion drive your presentation, but keep it calm. Direct the passion into inspiration, debate, and discussion--not argument.

Some people won’t be inspired by your vision. That’s OK; plenty of people weren’t inspired by Martin Luther King’s vision, either. Being a leader isn’t about persuading the world, it’s about touching enough people who want to follow with the message that will bring them along.

Go touch the people. Change the world!