Seeing Possibilities

There is a pattern that we see again and again in the work we do. When leaders lose hope or find their vision limited almost everything starts to look impossible. Nothing seems worth pursuing. If people are doing anything it is out of guilt or fear or duty but there is no sense that it will ever amount to anything. Creativity plummets. Joy diminishes. Energy wanes. Connections get cut off. And suddenly potential that may be present and bubbling just beneath the surface is invisible to the very people in whom it resides. Assets right at peoples’ fingertips seem to vanish – at least to eyes that have no hope. 

There is a sense that without the ability to see possibilities and to believe that they are both possible and worth pursuing, all of the rest becomes busywork – going through the motions. And if there is energy put into the system anyway it is because the people individually sense that they have something to gain (pay increase, promotion, personal recognition, etc.). But they don’t see any real fruit for the organization or team of which they are a part. 

Every once in a while I find myself losing the vision to see something that I should be seeing. It doesn’t occur often but when it does happen I find myself thinking more negatively and feel desperate rather than creative. I wonder if I am doing the right thing with my life or perhaps I’m just wasting my time. Like most people, I want my life to matter. It’s the only one I’ve got. The thought that it may not add up to something is not a pleasant thought. And only believing that it can make a difference and that meaningful things can happen seems to keep me moving ahead with any real energy. Hope is one of my primary resources when I am at my best. 

A pattern that I see is that good leaders are people who see possibilities and help others see them too. When they lose that sight they intentionally seek to do something about it. They find a place to retreat and refocus. They find colleagues to think and pray and share with. They visit other places where life is happening and catch a glimpse of what can happen – knowing that what is happening somewhere is likely to be possible here too. 

When you begin to lose your sense of vision and possibilities what do you do? Do you just plow through it and dutifully keep doing your job? Or do you find ways to reconnect with the promise that life can and will be different, catch glimpses and recharge, and then move forward in contagious ways that help others see, believe and work for what can happen as well?

- Dave Daubert

Comments

[vesparev]

Dave
Once again you have really hit the nail - right on the head! There is so much to distract us from our vision. In the midst of this recession, the financial struggle is everywhere (husband's business, personal, church.) It is easy to let that define us and make us forget the vision. You remind me to always always return to the vision - and when that happens the divine spark of creativity sets in and we are once again able to see the possibilities - and help others see them also. Thanks.
Marilyn Crosby

[Kelly Fryer]

Marilyn - I'm sorry to hear that life is so full of such BIG challenges these days. And I know Dave will be glad to see that his words have been helpful. Hang in there!

You know, Dave, Tana, and I have been wrestling for a couple of months over whether or not this important concept is implied directly or indirectly in our 5 guiding principles. We decided during our 3- day staff retreat this week that if we even have to ask the question it's not clear enough. And we've agreed that it is so important we're revising our guiding principles (again! - we recently changed "Be Productive" to "Be [Re] Productive").

"See Possibilities" has become our sixth guiding principle at A.R.E., as of yesterday! We agree that, without the ability to dream dreams and imagine a new future, nothing new - and no renewal - is possible.