Last month, I delivered a speech entitled “Visionary Leader” at my local Toastmaster club. The purpose of the speech was to challenge the members to assess their vision barometer. Here are some engaging questions I asked the audience – can you see greatness in the future of your professional career; can you imagine the possibility of doing better; or could you develop ways to plan your destiny?

I began the speech by defining the word ‘vision’ – the ability or an instance of great perception, especially of future development. The act or power of sensing with the eyes.

Next, I illustrated what Visionary Leaders are – and are not! Let’s start with the qualities that are not becoming of a Visionary Leader:

• Lovers of preserving the ‘Status Quo”
• Individuals who are stuck in the past or have a “we’ve always done it this way” mindset
• Generation excluders
• Present day Managers

Now let’s look at the qualities of a Visionary Leader:

• Individuals who pushes the envelope or address new creative ideas
• Advocators who see it, say it, and show it
• Those who see invisible futures
• Futuristic builders

Days after the speech I took a moment to examine the intersection of vision and passion. Passion of course is defined as any powerful or compelling emotion of feeling. Hhmmm, the two words seems to connect with a common word – “power.” Such an interesting way to view the two words:

Passion – the power to thirst

Vision – the power to grasp

Do you possess a sensible appetite to thirst for something (passion)? Do you possess a sensible appetite to grasp for greatness (vision)? If you answer yes to both questions and find a need (or power) to do so, then your passion and vision intersects! Take a moment to view the illustration below.

Let go people and do some good!