John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Abraham Lincoln. What do these three men have in common? We can pair them up and see some commonalities, but the following statements reveal their major commonality.
Before 40,000 people in the Rice University football stadium President John F. Kennedy proclaimed:
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”
Within the Illinois state capital after being selected to be his party’s representative for the senatorial race Abraham Lincoln stated:
“A house divided will not stand.”
On Thanksgiving Day after mourning the sudden loss of President Kennedy the now President Johnson shared:
“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose. I am resolved that we shall win the tomorrows before us. So I ask you to join me in that resolve determined that from this midnight of tragedy we shall move toward a new American greatness.”
Three different men with various commonalities in their histories, but each of them did what every leader must do: have and share their vision.
Kennedy’s Vision
President Kennedy set a clearly defined target that by the end of that decade we would put a man on the moon. He set into motion a plan that he would ultimately not see personally come to fruition, but that is what leaders do. They proclaim a clear, bold goal, and move toward it recognizing they may or may not realize it during their lifetime.
Lincoln’s Vision
Through many failures and defeats this president had a clear vision of what ultimately would need to occur. Abraham Lincoln saw before his time that in order for this young country to survive it must be unified. In a statement that was not politically correct at the time he set the course for what would ultimately define his leadership.
Johnson’s Vision
On the heels of a national tragedy this president proclaimed hope in a great America. He cast a vision of what America could become. Within his time in office he and those he led enabled legislation to create a society that was more equal and empowering for all. Did he realize the totality of this vision, no, but without his leadership many may not have the freedoms they experience today.
Each President had a picture of the future, but he did not hold it in. At the appropriate time he declared it and took steps to move toward fulfilling it.
It has been said that without vision people perish. What is your vision for your organization, team, family, or life? Have you stated it aloud so others can hold you accountable? Take time to clarify your vision today and if you need help thinking into your vision and your personal leadership results contact me for a complimentary thinking partner session. Lead well.
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