A Vision In Andy Stanley's Nehemiah

Vision is a vital component within leadership. The ability to see things as they should be is a crucial trait that leaders must cultivate. Further, a leader’s vision for an organization should elicit enthusiasm for what is possible, inspire dedication, chart a course for the future, and render a reason for being. Through the story of Nehemiah, Andy Stanley sets out to guide a leader from the birth of a vision to the maintaining of the vision. By following Stanley’s building blocks, leaders will effectively construct a vision that will continue to serve an organization. Andy Stanley begins with the origin of a vision. Stanley (1999) contends, “Visions are born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be” (p. 17). According to Stanley, a vision is the ability to see what is possible in light of the present reality. A leader will not a have a vision for an organization if he is content with the status quo. Conversely, it is out of discontent that a vision is birth within a leader’s heart. Stanley offers practical steps to bring a vision from a concern to maturity where the vision is realized within the organization. Along the way, Stanley advises leaders to be careful not to sabotage the vision by acting before the timing is right. Stanley (1999) argues, “Not only does our vision mature, we

Be flexible with you plan” (1999, p. 158). I have often times confused the vision with the plan to see it come to fruition. Stanley’s approach has assisted me in my understanding that the vision is not the same as the plan. This building block principle has also facilitated the need to learn from my critics. In the past, I would ignore my critics by dismissing their criticism. However, I have learned to sift through their criticism in search of any truth that may be applicable in completing the