4 Ways to Fix Blurred Vision

20 Apr 4 Ways to Fix Blurred Vision

Vision and Leadership

One cannot separate vision from leadership.

According to John Maxwell (noted leadership expert), “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

In essence, leadership is about ‘discovering, articulating and translating’ vision.

Another favorite quote of mine (close second) is by Eric Hoffer that defined a leader, as ‘one who is practical and a realist yet talks the language of the visionary and the idealist’, which also accurate depicts the correlation between leadership and vision.

Visionary Leadership

One of our early encounters with visionary leaders is one with our parent(s), caregivers or designated parental authority that had the enviable task of shaping our destinies with a name. I am fully aware of the tedious process involved in some cultures in selecting the name for a new born child and know of many parents who spent significant time meditating, praying, seeking counsel and inquiring from family members and their parents (child’s grandparents) on what the destiny of their new born might be, as additional insight into selecting the appropriate name which will impact, shape and influence the child’s destiny.

• Similarly, pet owners display vision when they name their pet along salient observable traits.
• Artists, architects, sculptors, and painters reveal their vision in their creations and often see a completed picture, statue or portrait well before they begin to create, draw, design, crave or paint.
• Musicians and composers often write notes to songs already completed in their hearts and heads.
• Inventors speak of creating the future today by embracing concepts and ambiguities.

The Danger

The lack of vision is fatal to anyone or organization and according to the book of proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Prov 29:18). So invariably, a visionless leader isn’t only a danger to him or herself but the organization, society, and nation at large. Indeed any enterprise with ‘blind leaders’ is cursed. For when a leader cannot see, then he or she doesn’t know and if there is no pre-motion, foreknowledge then without much ado there will be a dearth of motion and acceleration.

Additional characteristics of blindness include the following:

1. Inability to see threats and opportunities.
2. Apathy and delusion that leads to an inability to stay ahead.
3. Unreasonable elevation of traditional values and past glories.
4. Misaligned priorities and lack of purpose.

So how can anyone restore ‘blurred or lost’ vision?

1. Seek solitude.
   I refer to this ‘down time’ as quiet time. Our inability to reflect destroys our abilities to hear the voice of intuition and endless possibilities. While it’s very challenging to fully disengage, sometimes consciously stepping away from technology, TV, and readily available distractions could be a good way to rejuvenate the soul and spirit. Thereby, restoring vision and focus.
2. Be inquisitive, ask uncomfortable questions.
   Do not ask if you don’t want or can not handle the truth. The process of change requires the willingness to receive uncomfortable feedback. Additionally, if you are the leader, ensure you create the empowering environment such that constructive dialogue is permesible.
3. Develop the willingness to confront anxieties.
   What are the anxieties that your organization or team are facing? I love this quote by John Galbraith that states that, “All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This and not much else is the essence of leadership.” Develop the willingness to confront these anxieties.
4. Step outside.
   This is one of the most confusing steps because it challenges our assumptions the most. This step requires being quiet to learn, observe issues and concerns outside your typical sphere of influence. So step outside your common circle and comfort zones, go to talk to people outside your circles, take the subway, visit remote sales offices, visit the customer service team, talk to other industry leaders, join a recreational league, go beyond your neighborhood and network. You’ll be amazed.

What do you think?

Have you seen a blind or blurred vision restored?

Do you know what steps others used to restore their vision?

I will love to hear your thoughts.

Be well,
Dr. Flo

Dr. ‘Flo Falayi is a Management Consultant and Leadership Coach enabling, empowering and developing next generation leaders and organizations. The Founder of The Hybrid Leadership Institute and referred to as The Hybrid Leader™- American Born, British Educated, and Nigerian Raised. 

Follow Dr. Flo on Twitter @DrFloFalayi 

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