Andy Stanley on VISION

 I recently watched a talk where Andy Stanley gave some excellent insight on leadership, and specifically vision.  Although I do not like this particular format of blogging, here are some of the big ideas and quotes that made amazing sense:
 

      Vision Does Not Stick

If the followers don’t get [the vision], the leaders haven’t delivered it [properly].

      Where the vision is not clear there will be randomness.

      A person must ask them self:  Would you go/work here if you were not the pastor/boss?

Some reasons vision does NOT stick:

1.      Success – too many options – complexity is the enemy of efficiency, creativity

      Failure – When the plan or strategy fails, people believe the Vision is a failure (“do you think God is trying to tell us something?) Difference between plan, strategy, vision

3.      Everything in between – Life is about the stuff…Vision is what could be/should be

Some ways to increase the “stickiness” of vision:

1.      Cast it Strategically

a.       Provides definition

b.      None of us cast vision ENOUGH!

                                                              i.      Because we have already Said IT!

c.       Pick your timing when your audience will be listening

                                                              i.      Once a year is not enough

d.      Pick HOW you will cast it

                                                              i.      Clear and Compelling

1.      Define the problem

a.       What problem does my min./organization exists to fix something

2.      Offer a solution

a.       Your vision is a soulution to a problem

                                                                                                                                      i.      You will capture hearts and hands

3.      Why must we do it?

a.       And Why now?

2.      Celebrate it Systematically

a.       Provides Inspiration

b.      Make Celebration a part of your culture

                                                              i.      “what made you feel like you won in relation to the vision”

c.       Celebration puts Skin on the vision

d.      Everyone can see what it looks like to HIT THE BULL'S EYE

e.       Story Telling

3.      Live it Continually

a.       Provides Credibility

b.      Makes you a leader worth following

c.       If you are not authentic, people will know…your strong leaders will be the first to go.

d.      If you loose your burden you loose your passion you loose your passion you loose your vision

e.       Keep an eye on your programming

                                                              i.      Random programming is a no no

                                                            ii.      Think steps not programming…where is this taking us

f.       Listen to:

                                                              i.      Prayer Requests

1.      They indicate whether or not people are plugged into the Vision

                                                            ii.      Stories

                                                          iii.      What they complain about

Bottom Line:

LIFE IS BRUTAL ON VISION!