The Vision of A Leader

"Where there is no vision, the people perish" Proverbs 29:18

The Vision of a Leader: Clear Sight, Guided Focus

I recently had an eye exam, and the experience gave me a fresh perspective on leadership. It wasn't just about the tests, the charts, or even the new prescription I walked away with. It was about how my eye doctor guided me through a process that ultimately helped me see what he saw. In a way, this mirrors what leadership is all about: having a clear vision for the future and guiding others along the way so they can see it too.

The Starting Point: Assessing the Situation

When I first walked into the office, I spent quite a bit of time waiting, which gave me the chance to reflect. The first step was a series of tests designed to determine my "starting point." Where was my vision right now? The doctor couldn’t help me get to clearer sight without first understanding where I was. Similarly, as a leader, understanding where your team currently stands—whether in terms of skills, motivation, or resources—is crucial before moving forward. You can’t lead people effectively without knowing their starting point.

The Vision: What Does the Leader See?

Once the doctor reviewed my results, he had a clear idea of how he could help me improve my vision. He didn’t just say, “Okay, let’s get started.” Instead, he asked me questions, looked at my chart, and determined his approach. This is similar to how a leader works. As a leader, you may have a vision of where you want to take your team, but it’s not enough to simply say, "This is where we’re going." You need to take the time to communicate and make sure others are on the same page. Leaders should ask questions, listen to feedback, and ensure the path is clear to everyone involved.

The Process: Iterative Guidance

Next came the eye exam itself. The doctor placed a large machine in front of me and started the process of determining the right corrective lenses. “Which one is clearer, option one or option two?” he asked repeatedly. Each time, the lenses would change, and my vision would improve. The process was iterative—one step forward at a time, with small adjustments along the way.

Leadership works much the same way. You can’t expect your team to immediately understand your vision, nor should you expect them to see it as clearly as you do right from the start. Just like the doctor asked me questions about what I saw, a good leader asks questions to understand how their team perceives the situation, where they’re struggling, and where they excel. Each iteration of feedback brings the team closer to the vision, just as the doctor refined my prescription to bring my vision into sharper focus.

The Commitment: Constant Adjustment and Support

As the exam progressed, the doctor didn’t just set it and forget it. He continued to make subtle adjustments, asking, “Is this better? Or is this better?” There were many iterations, but each one was a step toward a clearer, more defined picture. Leadership, too, is an ongoing process. It’s not enough to set a vision and walk away. A leader’s job is to constantly check in, adjust, and offer support. This could mean providing training, addressing obstacles, or even offering encouragement. Leadership is a continuous commitment to helping your team focus on the vision and move toward it.

Sharing the Vision: Empowering Others to See

When I left the doctor’s office, he handed me a prescription—a tool that would help me consistently see the world more clearly. Without that prescription, I would never be able to maintain the clarity that the doctor helped me achieve in that brief moment during the exam.

In the same way, leaders need to equip their teams with the tools they need to "see" the vision for themselves. It’s not enough for a leader to have a clear vision in their own mind. As a leader, you must share that vision in a way that others can understand, and then provide the resources, support, and tools for them to achieve it. This could mean setting clear goals, offering professional development, or creating a culture of trust where people feel empowered to contribute toward that vision.

The Takeaway: Leadership Is a Journey, Not a Destination

When I left my eye exam, I felt a sense of relief. What had seemed fuzzy and unclear was now crystal clear. But I also knew that my journey wasn’t over. The prescription was a tool for my continued improvement, but the process of caring for my eyes—of constantly adjusting to my environment and maintaining good vision—was ongoing.  I also realized that hundreds of patients left that doctor’s office with clear vision and yet the majority did not have the same prescription.  He didn’t differentiate the vision, he differentiated the tools for each of his patients to see the same vision.  Leaders must realize this same concept for all they serve.  Understand your people and differentiate for them to see the same vision. 

In leadership, the vision isn’t just a destination. It’s a journey. As leaders, we need to provide the clarity, the tools, and the support that allow our teams to focus on what lies ahead. We have to be patient, ask the right questions, and guide our teams with intention. In doing so, we not only help them see the vision clearly, but we also empower them to reach it with confidence.

Just as my doctor worked with me to fine-tune my vision, a leader’s job is to fine-tune the collective vision of their team—one question, one adjustment, and one step forward at a time.