Send to Kindle“I have a dream!” What a vision! Martin Luther King was not the first to fight for racial equality and he wasn’t the last. So why do we remember those words? Because they stated the vision simply and clearly. It was a vision that everyone could understand and feel a part of. It encompassed the immediate issue, racial equality, but went beyond that to a vision of a truly color blind society.
That society certainly didn’t exist in 1963 when King gave that famous speech. I won’t argue whether or not it exists today, except to say that we are a long, long way from 1963. In fact, there are almost two complete generations who do not know systemic discrimination and oppression King was referring to in that speech. When he said “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood,” he was suggesting nothing less than a total remaking of a society. That was a vision!
When leaders create their vision, it’s to that level they should aspire. People are more likely to get behind a leader who states a clear and far-reaching vision; if for no other reason than to see what’s going to happen. The vision must be a big dream. Yes it should be attainable, though perhaps only at some point in the distant future. Remember that King was lost way too early and did not live to see the first African-American mayor (Young, Atlanta), or the first African-American governor (Wilder, Virginia). And yet, he did foresee those events; they were part of his vision. That brings us to another important part of the vision.
The leader’s vision must come from the heart and must be something in which the leader truly believes. A vision that is just made up to sound good is false and will be seen as such by others. King’s vision was from the heart. It was obviously genuine; he really had that dream and he was excited about sharing it with anyone who would listen.
As we celebrate Martin Luther King day, it’s a great time to reflect on your own leadership role. Do you have a vision? Is it big? Do you articulate your vision to others in such a way that they also get excited and want to see it happen? Do you have a dream?
Please watch King’s entire speech at http://bit.ly/1cgoK3.
