What does the future look like when you can’t even make sense of the present?
Welcome to ministry and leadership development in the age of COVID. Regardless of our personal thoughts about COVID, things have changed. As a leader, I’m trying to navigate the ups and downs while at the same time keeping an eye on the horizon. It’s not enough to do what I’m doing now, I want to take steps today that set me up for success tomorrow.
That brings me back to one of my favorite thoughts: the horizon of possibility.
As a leader, I feel like part of my responsibility is to cast the vision for what might could be, not just what is. I want the people I lead, whether students or adults, to know that we are moving forward with purpose. And that doesn’t happen if I don’t spend time thinking about the horizon of possibility.
The bottom line is this: as a leader, few people are as concerned about the long term outcome of what you’re leading as you are. So the question naturally arises: are you concerned about the direction you’re heading? Are you concerned enough to do something about it?
Spend some time today thinking about the Horizon of Possibility for your situation. It doesn’t have to be a long and drawn out process, but simply ask yourself the following three questions:
- Knowing what I know today, where do I want us to be in six months?
- If we need to be there in six months, what’s the first step I can move towards today to help us get there?
- Who needs to be reminded about our direction? Who needs to hear the passion in my voice as we take the first step?
Exercise your leadership influence today and bring someone along for the journey as you move forward.