Leaders Establish a Shared Vision - Day 4: 100 Days of Leadership

Continuing with a look on vision and its relationship to leadership, we see that Kouzes and Posner speak of the importance of inspiring a shared vision. Leaders, 'envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become' (The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership Model). 

A shared vision is what separates this from a maverick leader, with paint swished under their eyes, yelling out in a loud voice what direction they intend to go. There’s a tension here. A leader who has been appointed to a particular field, generally has expertise in that field. It’s paramount though, that the leader finds a way to lead decisively, yet collaboratively.
I have been in a pastoral situation, where I have been appointed as a new leader. On the existing team, one has asked quite confidently, ‘What is your vision for this church?’ While I would suggest, others at the same time were wondering how much say they would have in determining the future vision. That’s the tension. Some want leaders to act decisively and articulate to them vision right from the get-go, and others prefer to have their position heard, and have their opinion on the future direction of the organisation. Depending on the context, the current climate of the leadership environment and the unity and coherency of the team, will determine how that tension is best played out.  

What does the Bible say?
Acts 15:5-7a - Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them...

What will I do now?

The challenge as a leader is to find the balance between collaboration and decisive decision making without consultation. Consider now who the people are that you ‘share the vision’ with? How could you help them better understand the vision?