Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
The vision, mission, and values we establish in life are the guiding lights for our lives and the lives of those we lead. Those three elements create the “goalposts” for the decisions and actions of our lives. They should direct and guide everything we do – and we should develop them prayerfully as we move forward.
Vision
Mentor leaders cast a vision well beyond themselves and their own interests. Vision paints the picture of where we want to be, what we want to look like, what we hope things will be like in the future if we do what we feel we are called to do as a team or an organization. A well-cast vision is one that can be commonly shared by all members of the team and that all team members can – and must – buy into. In order for the vision to be compelling, however, it must encompass more than merely the leader’s best interests; it must include goals and benefits that resonate with the entire team. It must be something they can see and believe is possible to achieve with their collective efforts.
Mission
A mission statement – whether it’s for an organization, institution, family, team or individual – serves to answer a fundamental question: Why do we exist?
In other words, why are we doing what we’re doing? Why bother with all of this, anyway?
Craft a mission to the best of your ability, encapsulating the items that make your family or team unique, and then run with it.
First cast the vision. Then establish the mission. Then get moving!
Values
The final component that guides any sound organization is its values. Values, very simply, can be thought of as the “rules of the road.” They tell us and others what is important to us – as leaders, as an organization, and as individuals. They are the rudder that steers the ship. They tell us how to treat other people, both inside and outside the team or organization.
The values we adopt as leaders will paint a picture for others that is appealing and attractive, of someone they want to be associated with – or not. Our values will determine how we as leaders approach, care for, and develop our mentoring relationships.
For me, leadership has always been about service.
Truly serving others requires putting ourselves and our desires aside while looking for ways and opportunities to do what is best for others.
