It's the Vision That Counts
I had lunch today with a colleague in organizational development and training who has a mighty vision of the work that she will do in the world on the next phase of her journey: it's powerful; it calls her to become more skilled; it uses her talents; it contributes to the world in a meaningful way. She has no idea how she will pay for it or what it will take to bring it to fruition, but it's one of those irresistible ideas that has reached out and grabbed her. She's a visionary leader!
Why do I share this story? I first heard of her calling when we had a conversation four months ago. After we spoke and I encouraged her to pursue this life dream, she met with a flurry of other people who did just the opposite: they cautioned her to be reasonable, to be pragmatic, to slow down and consider the risks. Out of concern for her well being, they encouraged her to think again, and to make sure that she had contingency plans in place so that she wouldn't fail. In the face of so much "good advice," my friend put her dream on the back burner and waited until she had more answers.
Now, I'm as pragmatic as the next person, but I make it my business to encourage people to pursue a vision, to flesh out the details, to make it come alive, to attract people to support the dream, and by golly, to start down the path of creating it. Mighty forces line up to support us when we act. Goethe wasn't the first to say it but certainly said it eloquently: "Strike the dog dead! It's but a critic!"
Wait, that's not the Goethe quotation I want. Here's the one: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
So I ask you to consider today: What dreams have you shelved because you didn't have all the answers? What do you long to create? Are you a critic of the dreams of others? Or are you a creator of your own dreams? Are you ready to take action?
Comments
Cindy, as always, you inspire. :)
Your comment about "the critic" reminds me of my brother-in-law. His high school counselor told him something to the effect that he "wouldn't amount to anything". How do people like that get jobs like that?
Well, if only that counselor could see how wrong he was. This "nobody" is now one of the top executives at Caterpillar, with responsibility over hundreds of people and many millions of dollars. He's an involved dad, plugged into a church, and has many hobbies.
There's a place for constructive feedback and a place to encourage dreams. May we be wise enough to know the difference.
Click here for a related article from the "Leadership in the Real World" blog about a common fear about pursuing a dream: "But I can't make as much money if I tried to live my dream!".
Posted by: Andy Kaufman | February 8, 2006 09:11 PM
This week, with the funeral of Coretta Scott King, marked the value of a man with a dream/vision and the woman who kept the dream alive. Martin Luther King's vision set the nation on a course to live Lincoln's Gettysburg — "that all men (and women — for Cindy) are created equal." And, it was Victor Hugo who said "that no army could stand against an idea or a dream whose time has come." The time is always now for our visions and dreams! Thank you, Cindy, for your vision of NetSpeed Leadership!
Posted by: Byron Steele | February 9, 2006 02:59 AM
I'm reminded of the old story of the two shoe salesmen sent to a remote island to peddle their wares to the inhabitants.
The first returned dejected. "Terrible place to do business. None of the natives wears shoes."
The second returned in elation. "Great place to do business. None of the natives wears shoes."
Where would we be without our visions and dreams? Surely we would never have married for love nor had children for the joy they bring.
Posted by: BERNICE JOHNSTON | February 10, 2006 06:58 PM