The 22 Imperatives of Leadership: #4 – Vision and Cause Driven

Where there is no vision, the people perish.
~ King Solomon

This is installment 4 of the 22 Imperatives of a Leader of the Future. If you’ve missed the first 3 installments go here

On May 13th, 1930 Mohandas Gandhi marched to the sea in defiant protest of the British suppression and rule in India…

On May 25th, 1961 JFK stated to the world that he had a moonshot in mind for the United States of America. Not because it was easy. But because “it is hard; and it will bring out the best within us”…



On August 28th, 1963 MLK told the world of his dream for a loving and caring nation. Beyond color, culture or creed…

All three of these leaders obviously had BIG IDEAS.

They had a vision of a better, bigger, more expansive understanding and world.

They were driven by their cause; and they literally gave their lives for that cause.

True leaders have no time for the mediocre or mundane.
They are driven and compelled by a powerful calling and cause.

Where has this type of leadership gone?

It certainly no longer exists in government or media.

But it does exist.

Where?

In the heart of all true leaders and entrepreneurs.

How’s Your Vision?

True leaders and entrepreneurs do one thing.
They change the world!

The heart and pulse of cause-driven leadership has been taken over by entrepreneurs; and while government “leaders” play politics, and the media plays sensation, true entrepreneurial leaders are often quietly (sometimes not so quietly), changing the world.

I do what I do because I’m here to save humanity
~ Elon Musk

Vision is the ability to see a better world above and beyond what currently appears. It necessitates turning away from current appearances and living from the outcome of the inspired mind that vision creates.

This is no easy task.

True leadership is cause driven; and it takes sacrifice.
It takes the willingness to subjugate your own small personal
needs for a greater cause, calling, and purpose.

In a world gone mad with money, materialism and excess, there’s never been a stronger or deeper need for true leadership.

In a world gone mad with money, materialism and excess,
there’s never been a stronger or deeper need for true leadership.

Vision takes courage.

Loads of it.

For vision is a state where what you see on the inside, is more compelling, real and powerful than what you observe on the outside; and leadership is the strength to live from that outcome versus current appearances.

When the vision on the inside is more compelling and powerful
than what you observe on the outside, the universe is at your command.

Leadership is the ability to envision a better world.

To commit to a cause and calling that all appearances tell you does not exist.

But it does exist!

The universe does not exist “out there” independent of us.
We are inescapably involved in bringing about that which appears
to be happening. 
We are not only observers. We are participators.
This is a participatory universe.”
~ John Wheeler Nobel Prize winning quantum theorist from Princeton

ALL true leaders are Visionaries.

ALL true leaders have a cause and a calling versus just a career.

ALL true leaders give their entire lives, they work and sacrifice, and yes, they often suffer, for a cause that’s far beyond their own personal needs.

They give EVERYTHING to this singular purpose.

ALL leaders are here to make their own dent in the universe; no matter how small or large.

This is truly living.

All else is just existing.

Are you a leader?

There’s no value in lying to yourself.

We’re here to put a dent in the universe.
Otherwise, why else even be here?
~ Steve Jobs

Be a Leader. Live Your Purpose; and Take Your Power Back!

James