Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
•State the definition of “vision.”
•Help your patrol prepare and communicate a team vision to be realized during the JLT course.
Begin thinking about the personal vision you will develop by the end of the course.
As leaders, one of the most important ideas to communicate is where we want to go.
Vision is related to the word visual, which both come from the Latin word visus, a form of the verb “to see.” With this kind of vision, you can see yourself doing something, being something.
Vision is what future success looks like.
If you can see it, you can be it.
A vital part of developing a vision is being able to describe it.
First we dream, then we put it into words. Use these words to paint a picture of the future -- to turn your dream into a vision you can communicate. When you can share it with others, you really can see a picture of future success.
Bicycle racer Lance Armstrong had won the Tour de France several times. Then he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy that left him so weak he could barely pedal a bicycle around a parking lot.
His personal vision was to again be the best cyclist he could be. He was driven to succeed. He had a vision of what his own future success looked like -- he saw himself back at the top of his sport. He visualized it.
Since he could see himself succeeding, he was able to figure out the steps he needed to take to get back in shape, to begin competing again and finally to win another Tour de France.
He succeeded because he had a vision of what his own future success looked like.
Because he could see it, he could be it.
A vision is a picture of where you want to be. When you can see your destination -- when you can envision it -- you can take the steps to reach it.
An example of a personal vision could be, “I see myself as a first-rate kayaker.”
Saying “I want to do something,” or “I’d like to do something,” does not express a vision.
To express a vision, you say, “In the future, I clearly see myself in this picture of success.”
A vision for a team works the same way as a vision for an individual. A team vision is what future success looks like for a group of people.
If the team can picture themselves succeeding, they can work together to put themselves into that picture.
If they can see it, they can be it.
An American astronaut standing on the moon. That was a vision President Kennedy could see for America. It was a vision for a team.
A sports team with a winning record -- this is a vision a coach can offer to his team.
A band director can help musicians see themselves performing well at a future concert.
A Scout troop can see themselves backpacking at Philmont next year, or setting out from the BSA’s Sea Base or Canoe Base.
A mountain guide can paint a picture of future success for a team of climbers preparing for a climbing expedition.
The key points to remember from this session:
• Vision is what future success looks like.
• If you can see it, you can be it.