A shared vision

A simple definition of a leader is , someone who charts a direction that others follow. In other words if no one follows your direction then you are not a leader.

Leadership must then mean the ability to point at a direction and lead others towards that direction. Direction in my view is synonymous with ‘goal’.

One of the most important attributes of a leader is the ability to create ‘shared vision’. A shared vision is a vision that is accepted and owned by the followers. Ownership means that the followers internalize the vision and believe that it serves their individual as well as collective interest. If a leader’s  vision is not shared by the followers then he cannot build effective teams to realize the vision.

So how can leaders create shared visions?

1. Be forward looking- vision is about the future and not the past. People follow hope not hopelessness. So a vision must have the promise of a better or rewarding future.
2. A leader must be able to communicate his Vision in a way clear and unambiguous manner. This leaders must speak break down the central ideas in the vision into concise units and deliver the ideas through local languages where needed, illustrations, analogies or any manner that would enable the followers understand the vision.
3. Tolerance: leaders must listen to feedback from followers.  What is salient here is that the leader must be willing to listen and be tolerant of the views of his followers. This way good ideas from followers would be integrated into the vision. This is the best way to turn the vision of the leader into a ‘group vision’.
4. Connect with people. When people are described as being charismatic it is an acceptance of their ability to connect with others. It is easy to connect when the leader is trusted. Trust may mean that followers believe that the leader would protect their interest. It could be a product of the leader being humble, patient, showing empathy towards others, being perceived as selfless,and being honest. When a leader connects with people, it is easier to get followers to share the vision. I will give three examples to buttress this point. One is of Mahatma Ghandi and the Indian independence struggle. Ghandi was a very successful lawyer living a privileged  life in South Africa before he migrated back to India to be part of the independence struggle. He discarded his fine robes and started wearing simple tunics (loin cloth) so as to connect with ordinary Indians. He was subsequently able to get the support of millions of Indians for his non violence doctrine. Another leader who connected with the people was late Kenule Saro Wiwa who co-led the Ogoni struggle in Rivers State between 1993 and 1995. Whereas Saro Wiwa was only a spokesman for the Movement for Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), he became the ‘de facto’ leader of the struggle because he connected with the people. Through words and deeds he projected himself as a champion of the interest of Ogoni.

Like Ghandi, Ken Saro Wiwa remains like  a deity to the people he led years after his death.

My third example is a man named Jim Jones who was leader of a religious cult group known as the ‘People’s Temple’. Jones was a visionary  who was building a new future. His doctrine attracted a wide following first in California, USA before he moved to Guyana. In November 1978, Jones convinced over 900 followers of his sect to join him in a mass suicide as part of his promise of a better future. As stupid as that might sound 918 died in Jonestown in what has come to be known as the ‘Guyana Tragedy’.

My dear friends and brethren, if you aspire to lead you must strive to create a shared vision. If you are a follower and you are not in agreement  with the vision of your leader, please pause. Either ask your leader to ‘carry you along’ or seek new grazing land.