The Art of Visionary Leadership - Day 3: 100 Days of Leadership

Most people can see out to the horizon, but it takes a visionary leader to see beyond the horizon and then call people to follow that which they cannot see. There’s an element of faith involved in grabbing a hold of a dream from God. See a vision, is not reality, but a preferred reality. It is not wishful thinking. It is not pie-in-the-sky day-dreaming. Visionary leaders will picture something that is not reality, and not only believe that it can become reality, but will work to bring others along to see the fulfilment of a new reality. That is the art of visionary leadership.



In The Lion King, when Mufasa and his son Simba were looking out to the horizon, there was curiosity and youthful exuberance in little Simba to desire to go beyond the horizon. He longed to go beyond the borders of the Pride Land. Maybe we need to recapture that kind of thinking that allows us to dream big and seek after what others have deemed ‘out of bounds’ or not within the suitable confines of what others deem appropriate.

Leaders can see beyond the horizon. Australian of the year for 2015, Rosie Batty, envisages a time when Australians would no longer be a country with profound issues of family violence. After her son was tragically killed by her father after a fit of rage, Rosie is now an activist against domestic violence. Her circumstances had led her to see beyond the horizon, but by doing so, she inspires herself and others to usher in a culture in Australian society that is utterly opposed to violence in our community.

What does the Bible say?

Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.

What will I do now?

Take a moment and consider your own leadership situation. What would you do differently, if you knew you couldn’t fail? Look beyond the horizon. Maybe it’s not as impossible as you first think.