Without vision, people perish (Proverbs 29:18). On the other hand, where there is vision, people thrive.
Will Mancini describes the importance of vision well in his book God Dreams. “Clarity isn’t everything, but it changes everything…A clear vision…:
- Creates energy on a team.
- Provides hope in difficult times.
- Pushes us to be our best.
- Deepens our dependence on God.
- Reminds us of the payoff of hard work.
- Defines the significance of our lives.
- Gives meaning to the mundane.
- Fuels progress towards our goals.
Despite how impactful a clear vision is, most individuals and churches don’t invest the time to create a clear picture of where they believe God is leading them. Without a defined preferred future, people lose hope, meaning, and understanding.
One of the most important traits of a great leader is the ability to help others see a clear vision of the future, not just for the organization, but for themselves. Very few people both know how they are uniquely designed and have a clear picture of the unique destiny that God desires for them. By helping team members articulate their personal vision, they gain catalytic clarity that unleashes their God-given potential.
Here are five questions I ask my team to help them clarify and articulate their vision:
If all jobs paid the same and you could create your perfect job description, what would it be?
This question helps you understand a person’s unique design which helps you then lead someone to discover their unique destiny. When you remove the income factor from the equation, it unleashes an individual’s imagination to create a job that is influenced primarily by their passions and abilities.
Based on your current life direction, what will you regret when you’re on your deathbed?
Regret is often the quickest and easiest way to discover untapped potential, misaligned priorities, and unused passion. A great follow-up question is, “Why would that be your regret, and why do you think you might have it?”
At your funeral, who do you hope will be there and what do you hope they say about you?
This question pushes the individual to think about two things: the people she hopes to impact and the way in which she impacts them. By using the context of a funeral, it helps an individual think more qualitatively and personally rather than just professional achievements.
What unique combination of passions, experiences, and abilities do you have and how should that shape your future?
Howard Hendricks said, “You look forward in faith and backward in understanding.” When we look back at our experiences, passions, and abilities, we gain insight into how God created us as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. This understanding of our unique design propels us towards our unique destiny.
What is the most important contribution you hope your life’s work provides?
This question helps a leader articulate the biggest problem they hope to solve and the most important solution they hope to provide for the world. Understanding this purpose becomes the core of their personal vision.
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