This is the second in a series of the blog posts on vision. First on discovering your deeper vision in times of transition. Second, on being a servant leader. And third, on inspiring vision in others.
On the popular HBO television show Game of Thrones, one of the main characters, Jon Snow, is groomed to take command of a band of warriors guarding the northern border of civilization against the wild and dangerous peoples and creatures that lay beyond. In one dramatic scene, Jon is firmly chastised by the current commander for being arrogant and presumptuous. The commander shoves Jon against a wall and thunders, “Do you want to lead one day… then learn how to follow.”
That simple statement evokes the character of the most inspiring and effective leaders: the fact that they are dedicated servants. The vision they hold up for others is the same vision that they are inspired by. It is their “something higher” which calls them to action.
For example, a client of mine is all about design—reminiscent perhaps of Steve Jobs’ dedication to launch a revolution in computing and personal technology. Or another client who expresses a similar passion for empowering women. In each case, although they can be often hard on their coworkers and subordinates, their attitude of servant-hood held all of them in a field of professional camaraderie. At bottom it wasn’t about the leader, it was about whether people’s lives were actually being changed for the better.
Fundamental to the impact of a great leader is the power of their vision and their commitment to it. When a leader is not a servant to their vision, his or her integrity is undermined. Those that follow them will sense this immediately, and their motivation to follow the leader will wane.
Whether we think of it that way or not, we all have followers. People notice what we do. If I follow you, what will I be serving?
In my next blog, I will share some tools for articulating your highest vision. Before we go there, I invite you to go deeper than you ever before into the question: what do you serve?