As a child, I dreamed of being Frank Lloyd Wright. In high school, I decided to be a marine design engineer. After some work experience, I realized project management brought me much more joy. I adjusted my vision to be a senior engineering project manager. I finally gave in to my passion for developing people and decided to apply for management. Years later, I’m the head of financial operations for my organization. Am I a failure because I’m not an architect? Of course not!
Practical Vision
My point is not to abandon big dreams. Plenty achieve a childhood dream and hard work is required for success, no matter what!
To hone the skills required of successful leaders you must:
- Identify where you want to go
- Establish a challenging, yet realistic, vision
- Set goals to reach your vision
- Execute and Achieve your vision
Reinforcing those steps for yourself pays dividends when you reach your first leadership position. Of course, you’ll need communication, influence, and other abilities to bring others along. Reaching your personal incremental visions will increase your confidence and preparedness. Vision is distinct from a dream especially when others professional standing, success, or livelihoods count on your vision and leadership.
It’s okay to change your vision
How often have you read that leaders aren’t discouraged by failure? Think of any leader and we would agree they failed, assessed, and adjusted along the way. Have you considered they may not be repeatedly trying to reach a dream established long ago? Successful leaders adjust their tactics but also know when to change their vision!
Leaders expect bumps in the road. We anticipate them and have a strategy for how to get through them. Sometimes, we adapt the vision to avoid them. Other times, we go sideways in order to continue forward. The path is not often linear. Flexibility is the reason for success.
So, with the above in mind, yes, go ahead and dream big!