How Eagle-Eye Vision, Values and Virtues Improve your Leadership Development Initiatives (Video also)

How Eagle-Eye Vision, Values and Virtues Improve your Leadership Development Initiatives (Video also)

When Gordon and I move to North Dakota in 2014, we immediately start brainstorming a name for our new home that captures our passion for leadership development.

Eagle Springs is the first name that resonates with both of us. “Eagle,” because we both love the majesty of bald eagles…plus it’s in one of my favorite scriptures (Isaiah 40:31). And, “Springs,” because of the natural artesian spring bubbling forth on our property…plus another scripture (Psalms 1).

There is just one tiny problem…no, a big problem. When initially surveying the property with its deserted, homestead shack, we see turkey vultures sitting on the roof.  Turkey Vultures! Now, I know the value of Turkey Vultures. And, I appreciate the work they do. However, “Vulture” just doesn’t resonate with either of us.  Who’s ever heard of – Turkey Vulture Ranch! So, I start praying for eagles to visit our valley. 🙂

In this series, we’ll discuss how eagle-eye vision, values and virtues improve your personal leadership development. (Sorry to those of you who love Turkey Vultures!)

How Clear is Your Personal Leadership Development Plan?

“Raise your hand – who already has a Personal Vision or Purpose Statement as part of your Leadership Development Strategy?”

This seems to be a great opening question for my keynote at a leadership development conference. It’s a “best practice” for leaders to have a Business Vision, Mission, and Values Statement. I’m addressing a group of high-performance leaders. Logically, I’m expecting just about everyone to raise their hands when asked about a Personal Vision Statement.

Panic…I’m waiting for their response. No hands. I’m wondering whether is a good idea.

Finally, a sigh of relief – a few raise their hands!

In the end, 20% of the audience raise their hand acknowledging that they have a Personal Vision or Purpose Statement.

I discovered that it’s the norm when I ask this question at the beginning of a keynote. About 20%.

Watch this video for more on Vision, Values and Virtues:

Why is Clarity on your Personal Leadership Development Needed?

Why is it important that you, as a leader, get increased clarity on your personal vision, values, and virtues?

Since the beginning of 2020, your life has been turned upside down by a global health challenge, along with multiple economic and technology disruptions.  Now, you have the Russian-Ukrainian crisis with its global repercussions on the 24/7 news cycle.

In the background, the attack on your values continues.  In fact, it’s intensifying. Character-based leadership is under attack.

If you’re like me, you’re inundated with disheartening words…unprecedented challenges, uncertainty, unpredictability!

The result?

You must work intentionally, strategically, purposefully to expand your leadership influence. It’s time to apply the steadfastness and ingenuity of the eagle to overcome the challenges you and your Next-Gen leaders face.

I’m reminded of the Biblical prophet, Isaiah, who writes “…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Isn’t this exactly what we, as leaders, want to do in the midst of today’s chaos and disruption?  To soar? And to help others soar?

I believe that now is the time to do the reflective work to gain even more clarity on your personal vision, values, and virtues…so that you will “mount up with wings.”

Your character-based leadership matters NOW – more than ever.

What is One Powerful Question to Inspire Personal Leadership Development?

Millennials and Next-Gen Leaders, those who look to you for guidance and insight, have a series of pressing questions constantly racing through their minds:

• Can I trust you as a leader?
• Are you firmly grounded in who you are and your purpose in life?
• Are you a person of integrity? Do you stick to your values and virtues, even under pressure?

These important questions invite you to be intentional and strategic in answering your own powerful question – What might I do to make a positive impact?

This question – What might I do to make a positive impact? – becomes crucial as you reflect on your Vision, Values, and Virtues Statements. The answer to this question ensures you not only survive, but thrive, during the onslaughts you face on so many fronts. In this series, we will address how your Personal Vision, Values and Virtues Statements help answer this question for you.

Get Clarity on your Personal Vision, Values, and Virtues for Improved Leadership Development

I confess that I’m confused when I do a Google search on how to write a Personal Vision Statement.  Every “expert” has their own version of expert advice. Sometimes, one expert’s advice is in direct conflict with another expert’s instructions. Yes, confusing, to say the least! There are just so many different ideas. And really – what is the difference between a Vision, Mission, and Purpose Statement anyway?!?

To take the guesswork out of writing your Personal Vision, Values, and Virtues Statements, I’m posting a series of 3 articles:

1. A Crystal-Clear Vision Statement Strengthens your Leadership Development Purpose

To lead well and gain the trust needed to coach others, you must be firmly grounded and rooted. A crystal-clear Vision Statement, which I often refer to as a Purpose Statement, provides this leadership development foundation.

2. Create a Values Statement to Improve Leadership Development   

As the world is being shaken and the culture is shifting, do you know what really matters to you? Gaining clarity on your values guides your decisions, increases your confidence, and builds hope-filled resilience to overcome challenges. These are the values that your Next-Gen leader will also need to thrive in a disrupted culture.

3. Activate Virtues that will Boost Character-Based Leadership Development

When we talk about virtues, we can easily get branded as old-school or being out of touch with today’s culture.  However, as leaders, we aspire to be a person of trust that can positively influence others.

I trust these articles will bring you closer to getting your Vision, Values, and Virtues Statements formalized AND making them a way of life. I know, it can be intimidating. I invite you to contact me if you need some external insight.

As Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait another moment before starting to improve the world.”

Good News!

Despite the Turkey Vultures, Gordon and I build our home, keeping a vigilant watch (and praying) for eagles.  Finally, after three years of watching, a majestic Bald Eagle soars through our valley. So now, after a few precious eagle sightings every year, we are proud and grateful to call our home “Eagle Springs Ranch.” To celebrate our “naming ceremony,” I got Gordon this powerful eagle painting for Christmas.

Allow me to ask you the same question that I asked my audience…

“How many of you have a Personal Vision, Values, or Purpose Statement?”

I’m wondering what your answer will be.

Are you in the 20% group that has a Personal Vision or Purpose Statement?

If your answer is, “No, I don’t have one!” that’s OK.

It’s never too late to do the reflective work to gain clarity on your personal vision, values, and virtues. Now is the time to expand your leadership influence. As a leader, you can become a symbol of strength and steadfastness, just like the eagle.

In the next article in this series, we will discuss how to create a Vision Statement that strengthens your leadership development strategies.

Leadership Development Lesson: As a character-based leader, aspire to be a person of trust that can positively influence others.

Leadership Development Question: What might you do to gain clarity on your vision, values, and virtues that will withstand the onslaught of a fear-driven culture?

Here are the links to all the articles in this series:

1. How Eagle-Eye Vision, Values and Virtues Improve your Leadership Development Initiatives
2. How an Eagle-Eye Vision Statement Strengthens your Personal Leadership Development
3. Create a Personal Values Statement to Soar Your Leadership Development
4. How to Utilize Virtues to Expand Your Leadership Development Efforts