I’m surrounded by great leaders–a bunch of people that are much smarter than I am. Wisdom just flows out of them. I’m challenged daily, and it’s pushing me to grow in my leadership. Today, as an example, I’m sitting in a meeting talking with my teammates about what we do and don’t communicate and Shane steps to the plate with this statement:
"People will follow vision. They won’t follow information."
We sometimes think if we just give people more information, they’re more likely to connect and engage in ministry. More often than not, though, more information creates more confusion over what’s really important. It’s distracting. It’s overwhelming. People stop listening.
People do follow vision. In fact, they’re energized and unified by it. If it’s a God-ordained vision and the right leadership team stewards that vision well, it can have the power to transform people’s lives.
What is the difference between information and vision? I agree with the statement and believe that vision can only be cast thru interactive dialog – not one way information streams. The prime vision casting tool should be 1-1 leader development to share the vision in a personal and passionalte way. Information cannot convey passion.
Neither is not good without action! History lessons are not good without applicable ways to apply it to our lives in 2007! There are to many of us that are not great scholars in the church. That does not mean that we are not passionate, just not able to see a history lesson and apply it to current life. Thank you to the team at NS for using your gifts for God’s kingdom! You guys ROCK!
I was introduced to this after I worked at Skyline, Maxwell’s church…he always used the saying with money…people don’t just give…they give to vision…
I had to learn this in steps…being a dreamer…I could dream big BUT not make dreams a reality…
So selling the dream was easy for me…but in order to create a sustainable movement you have to deliver on the things you promote…
So I now use this list to make sure I stay on tract…
Dreaming
Planning
Telling
Doing
Evaluating
Continual Selling/Promoting
Thanks Tony
I may be reading this wrong, but here are my thoughts.
“Vision can only be cast thru interactive dialog – not one way information streams.”
- 100% ABSOLUTELY FALSE
If this was the case, the president of the United States would drop by my house each night to share with me his plan for Iraq (to which I would fall asleep). Casting vision is ONE WAY communication (if people don’t agree with the vision, get the heck off the dang boat, b/c it’s not up for discussion)!
Leaders, we HAVE to realize that God gives us a vision and we must have the backbone to stand up for it and do all we can to protect it (b/c it will be attacked)! Now, God does surround us with leaders who help us find the best way to implement the vision (but that isn’t casting the vision, and in the discussion of implementing the vision – the vision doesn’t change).
“What’s the difference between vision & information?”
1) (V) paints a picture, (I) create sentences
2) (V) motivates action, (I) generates knowledge
3) (V) has a plan, (I) provides facts
Sorry that was so long winded Tony…just sharing my thoughts!
Shane is right on track.
What I hear him saying is that we can’t just give people information about the future. We have to draw a picture of how they will be affected. How their lives will (or could) impact the world or their neighbor though the information (future development of the vision) that you are about to share. Vision reaches down deep inside of people and draws out how and why they can connect to the vision information that is being shared. It helps people more than just know what is coming but see what is coming and why it is so important. This is a life changing quote for me.
Information and vision are two different animals and used in different situations
Information is needed for leaders and Christians to make good decision. This will help them navigate around this world until our blessed hope.
Vision on the other hand, is what leaders should use to build an empire–whether the empire is a business or ministry. Communicate the vision and people, if convinced, will join the leader with his heart and resources.
I remember one principle in the Bible that says.. “without vision, the people perish.
Vision In Leadership
The leaders vision, however, is what will capture the heart and passion of the the audience In the corporate world, employees stay and become loyal to the organization not because of money, but because they share the vision
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