A great leader must possess vision in order to direct a team along the pathway to success.  A clear defined vision of where the collective whole is going will be required in order to withstand doubt, uncertainty and all other obstacles that may stand in the way of accomplishing the goal.  The ability to cast vision is a skill set that many lack nowadays.  Part of the reason is because vision first requires a dream.  Dreaming of course requires one to “get ones hopes up” and ponder the possibilities of something greater than they now can reach out and touch.

However dreaming can also lead to fantasizing which is far different from vision.  Let me use a few definitions from thefreedicitonary.com to discern the difference between fantasizing and vision and help illustrate my point.

Fantasizing

1. to conceive extravagant or whimsical ideas, images, etc.

2. to conceive pleasant or satisfying mental images

Vision

1. the manner in which one sees or conceives of something.

2. a vivid mental image produced by the imagination

The definition conveys that fantasizing is for the purpose of losing one self in their thoughts of betterment without the intent to actually do what is necessary to achieve these results.  Vision on the other hand is a method of pictorializing an objective in one’s mind in such an extreme and precise manner, that it helps guide the leader through the minefield to the goal line.

The key difference with vision is that action is laid out, intended and will be taken.  Without action (work) dreaming is simply fantasizing.  Dreaming with action is what constitutes vision.  Vision, action and results is what defines true leaders and their ability to lead.  This can be carried many steps further.  A great writer may have a wonderful idea for a book but if he never puts pen to paper, it will never be read.  This is obvious of course.  A performer, like a leader cannot think great things into existence.  This is the first step, but they then must put in the hard work and hours in order to make it so.  Action and the ability to evoke action from others is one of the most crucial call signs of a true leader.

As Orrin Woodward says “It is called the book of Acts, not the book of Talks!”