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Does the world still have visionary leaders?






Visionary leaders are people who do not just paint a picture, but those that paint it and explain it! The whole essence of visionary leadership is rooted in one`s ability to effectively share their vision to others in such that even in their absence what they sought to achieve is achieved by others. The good thing about vision sharing is that you do not need to be there for your vision to be achieved. Most importantly you have to tackle all limitations and turn your tragedies into triumphs. The world has its own standards of determining hero and heroine status but to me it is those leaders that have turned their tragedies into triumphs and dark nights into victory that I believe deserve the status.
A blind man`s world is bounded by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man`s world by the limits of his knowledge; a great man`s world by the limits of his vision .Paul Harvey
What is vision?
Brief story about Helen Keller
Helen Keller was not born blind or deaf; instead, it was not until she had a serious illness which may have been meningitis or scarlet fever, did she lose her hearing and her sight.  By the time that Helen was seven years old, she had more than sixty signs that she used to communicate with the family.  She also was able to communicate with Martha Washington, daughter of the family cook.  In her childhood, Helen was known for her uncontrollable temper tantrums and her stubborn streak.  Most of her temper tantrums were likely caused by her inability to communicate her wishes to others.
Helen Keller became an author and speaker.  She is today remembered for her advocacy for people who have disabilities.  She was also a suffragette, a radical socialist, and a supporter of birth control.  She also spoke out against Woodrow Wilson.  Along with George Kessler, she founded the Helen Keller International organization, which works towards research in nutrition, health, and vision.  Keller assisted with founding the American Civil Liberties Union in 1920.  Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller traveled to more than 39 countries and made several trips to Japan.  Helen Keller became somewhat of a celebrity, and she met every U.S. President from the time of Grover Cleveland all the way to Lyndon B. Johnson.  She also had friendships with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Mark Twain, and Alexander Graham Bell. 
From 1909 Helen Keller campaigned in support of the working classes and was a member of the Socialist Party.  She supported Eugene V. Debs, a Socialist Party candidate, in all of his attempts at the presidency. 
What is probably striking about Helen Keller`s background is her ability to achieve and influence a lot of leaders despite the fact that she was visually impaired. Likewise visionary leaders are not perfect beings but their ability to see opportunities in challenges separates them from others.
Vision is defined by Helen Keller as the ability to foresee and as “dreams plus reality”
The question “What can be worse than being born blind?” was once asked Helen Keller and her reply was: “To have sight without vision”
 Clearly Helen Keller’s response highlights the importance of having a clear vision as you live your life .Vision gives us a sense of direction, a purpose in life and a desire to achieve and create opportunities and platforms to achieve. It is important to create nature and share a vision for an un-nurtured vision dies with the owner.
The stories around such people seem to show that there are moments of crisis or decision where the actions of one person are pivotal. They have a vision of what can, and should be, done and can communicate this to others. When these are absent there can be trouble. Visionary leadership is, arguably, central to the survival and success of groups and organizations. But what is leadership? It seems to be one of those qualities that you know when you see it, but is difficult to describe. There are almost as many definitions as there are commentators. Many associate leadership with one person leading. Four things stand out in this respect. First, to lead involves influencing others. Second, where there are leaders there are followers. Third, leaders seem to come to the fore when there is a crisis or special problem. In other words, they often become visible when an innovative response is needed. Fourth, leaders are people who have a clear idea of what they want to achieve and why. Thus, leaders are people who are able to think and act creatively in non-routine situations – and who set out to influence the actions, beliefs and feelings of others. In this sense being a ‘leader’ is personal. It flows from an individual’s qualities and actions. However, it is also often linked to some other role such as manager or expert.
Nurturing your Vision
A vision needs and has to be nurtured, re-ignited, groomed and shared with others in order for one to be effective. For like a rose that is not watered and pruned a vision may die and go to waste no matter how attractive and useful it was bound to be. As a leader one has to get into a habit of practicing the following:
Write it
Naturally human beings tend to remember better that which they would have written down .This gives the mind a better room for storing things in it as compared to hearing .Writing gives us a visual picture of what would have transpired .The aspect of writing down your vision is also cemented in the bible as highlighted below :
“Write the vision, make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it”                                          (Habakkuk 2:2)
The runner may be taken as your potential follower in leadership. Your vision should be vividly shared amongst those you lead so that they can perform to their best in a manner that will satisfy you .This will give you more room for performance appraisal.
“If you tell us we will hear, if you involve us we will understand”
Pray it –prayer is a necessary tool as it develops and strengthens our passion
Prayer changes all, it is a necessary practice, and it grooms and builds passion and a strong desire success with an exemplary life.
Share it-a good leader has the ability to share his or her vision. Vision sharing gives you accountability because people are now aware of your endeavors and may adopt a wait and see attitude. You have to leave up to your expectations and in the process mentor others.
Do it-’actions speak louder than words”
Vision building is like sewing plants ,it is a seed that we plant now with the future in mind  as Napoleon Hill asserts “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements “
Seven vision levels of people
Vision is something that we are all bound to experience in one way or the other. The following seven levels are a summary of categories or phases which we are likely to pass through in vision building with some people not going through all of them
Some people never see it (they are wanderers)
Some people see it but do not pursue on their own (they are followers)
Some people see it and pursue it (they are achievers)
Some have it and loose it in the way (they are not rooted in vision)
Some people don’t understand it but have an idea (they are potential sheep that need a shepherd)
Some people theorize it and are never practical about pursuing it (they are leadership passengers)  
Some people see it and pursue it and help others see it (they are leaders)

Visionary leaders
The Bible presents us with many and classical examples of visionary leaders and emphasis the need for it to exist whether at an individual national or global level. Vision is by far a key aspect of leadership as it sets the ground for the achievements of greater heights and enables leaders to begin with the future in mind. Without we perish, dreams are destroyed, confidence is lost, there is no hope and we are bound to be easily discouraged in our endeavours .With vision comes a plan for the future and with a plan for the future we develop a desire to exert positive influence on others. Biblical teachings in the books of Proverbs give a clear need for us to have a vision .According to the book of proverbs   
“Where there is no vision the people perish” Proverbs 29:18
History is pregnant with a number of visionary leaders in a number of areas in life. These people have a clear purpose in life and have lived to inspire others. “Purpose is the discovery of those gifting, abilities, potential and strengths that bring the greatest reward, achievement, inspiration, solutions and excellence to you and many others.(Proverbs 29:18).Their level of vision by far exceeded the expectations of many as they have managed to have their vision live beyond themselves and the world today is benefiting from their ability to effectively share their vision in a manner that allowed others to buy into their ideas and input. In the recent years we have experienced a new twist and caliber of young people who have had huge leadership influence .As a writer I am greatly moved and challenged by the success stories of Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, Goos Uknwoke and  Bulelwa Mkutukana (Zahara)  and Strive Masiyiwa .Their continued success gives hope to the future, it allows us to celebrate success beyond the generation of Bill Gates and that of Warren Buffet .It is testimony that “miracles” do happen when we believe in ourselves. The high levels of visionary leadership that they have put into action are that of a high caliber.






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