[Note: this is not an easy text.]<\/p>\n
This is not about eye-vision of course.<\/p>\n
In the coach\u2019s case<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
it may concern a pattern of thought or action that the coachee enacts time and again because it is somehow deeply meaningful to that person. Being better able \u2013 through the coaching \u2013 to recognize and \u2018digest\u2019 that meaning may enable him to proceed in more enjoyable, efficient, energetic, yes: meaningful ways. Almost as a side effect, something that has been encrusted into for instance a chronic pain, may gradually get softer or even dissolve. In comparison to a \u2018symptom-aggressive cure\u2019, this is much<\/em> more worthwhile.<\/p>\n
In the leader\u2019s case<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
it may be about a \u2018grand vision\u2019 of the future of a whole organization, like a \u2018view into the future\u2019 where he can see what to expect and from where he can more optimally orient the company\u2019s strategy, \u2018back into the present\u2019.<\/p>\n
Universally personal<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Using a metaphor: the act of \u2018vision\u2019 is like that of a perfect mirror. Such a mirror is completely present (personal \u2013 as a \u2018total person\u2019) and at the same time completely not-present (universal \u2013 mirroring reality as it is). Flaws in the mirror are bits and pieces of ego throwing itself to the fore. With lots of bits and pieces, the mirror image gets more and more obscured.<\/p>\n
A perfect mirror reflects an inner world which is \u2018formless\u2019 (not easy to grasp!) but meaningful. It reflects this into the outer world which is full of form but meaningless on its own. That\u2019s when things start getting alive.<\/p>\n
This is the case between coach and coachee, as it is between leader and organization.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t mean \u2013 at all \u2013 that coach or leader reflect their own ego-personal content. These are the flaws in the mirror! Characteristic to a great coach \/ leader is precisely his ability to transcend this, to \u2018polish the mirror\u2019\u2026 until the mirror itself is no longer visible.<\/p>\n
Doing from being<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Doing this<\/em> is a natural, spontaneous flow that comes from being this<\/em>. The latter is \u2013 make no mistake \u2013 very difficult to achieve. It takes a \u2018lifetime\u2019 in the sense of: a time to be truly alive, deeply present, experiencing things, getting to know oneself and others as they are.<\/p>\n
Reading\/studying are helpful but only if done as an experiencing \u2013 deeply<\/em> \u2013 of what is being read. This is quite special.<\/p>\n
The \u2018becoming\u2019 into \u2018being\u2019 is the polishing of the mirror. It takes patience. Digesting this text may be one polishing stroke, albeit \u2013 hopefully \u2013 a meaningful one to you, dear reader.<\/p>\n
The realization of the vision<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This comes mainly by being keenly aware of the vision within fitting circumstances. Take care: you cannot force these circumstances but<\/u> you can invite them to come your way when you think you are ready for them. Very important: this may take seconds, months\u2026 or\u00a0 decades.<\/p>\n
Personally universal<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In order to bring vision to an organization, it\u2019s not enough to place a banner or to write the \u2018company vision\u2019 all over the place. In order to become alive within a company, the vision needs to enter people \u2013 which actually is impossible if \u2018you<\/u>\u2019 want to be the actor of this action, maybe as the \u2018boss\u2019. No go.<\/p>\n
Here also, you can only invite. What is already there, inside a person, may become alive. The person may recognize himself in the company vision. Only then, with a well-enough recognition, may the vision start growing inside.<\/p>\n
Thus, bringing the company vision to employees is like searching for the already present seeds. Then: nurturing these seeds, letting them grow.\u00a0The seeds are personal; the growing: universal. What the seeds are growing into, is a better world, a better future.<\/p>\n
This is the core business of every open leader and every great coach.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n