Leading With Vision

May 21, 2010

Last week was the annual 4C Leadership Conference in Northern Kentucky. This conference, for directors and owners of early childhood education programs, is one of the few opportunities most directors have to step back from their frenetic pace to think about their organizations’ vision and direction. There were sessions on management as well as on leadership, and my hope is that managers found new passion to lead, and that leaders gained momentum to fulfill dreams.

I currently am participating in a strategic planning process of an organization I care deeply about. When asked by the consultant whether we wanted to add a vision statement to our mission statement, the general sentiment was “not now. We have enough on our plates.” I was dismayed because I am an advocate of the big vision. I love Daniel Burnham’s famous quote, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized.”

Knowing your organization’s function might allow you to manage to that narrow function, but trying to visualize what could be is the only way to lead, and the only way to gain passionate commitment from others.

Entry Filed under: Early Care and Education Leaders, General. Tags: child care, leaders, leadership, mission, strategic plan, vision.