Leading with Vision

Recently, I watched a movie titled 7 Days in Utopia.  The story is about an amateur golfer, Luke Chisholm, who unexpectedly finds himself stranded in Utopia, Texas.  It just so happens that the eccentric rancher, Johnny Crawford, who provides him with a place to stay for the week, is a former PGA tour pro.  Johnny convinces Luke to accept an offer to mentor the talented young golfer in the fine points of the game.


In one of the scenes, Johnny tells Luke to meet him on the golf course at 8am.  When Luke shows up, he does not find Johnny ready for a round of golf, but instead he is sitting at an easel, painting a oak tree.  He asks Luke to tell him how he would play a difficult lie behind the big tree.  Luke provides a quick response which was not acceptable to his mentor.  Instead, Johnny explains that Luke must "see" this shot in his mind before he ever swings a club.  Then he provides Luke with an assignment: paint the shot on canvas.


Being a leader requires the same skill that was being taught to the young golfer.  Leaders need to "see" the terrain that lies ahead, and then plan their shot before swinging the club.  Since we do not always know what is going to happen in the future, sometimes this requires multiple scenarios.  Dr. John Maxwell states that "leaders see before others, and leaders see more than others."  We are not referring to the sense of sight either.  Successful leaders have a vision of where they want to go today, tomorrow, next month, and five years from now.  And the choices they make today are based upon the future state they desire.


The first skill that you need to succeed as a leader is a clear vision.  Create a picture of the future state so clearly in your mind that you could paint it on canvas.  Then make your decisions based upon making the shot that gets you closer this goal.  Talent is necessary, and must not be ignored.  But talent is not enough.  And vision without talent will only lead to disappointment.  But when your natural, God given talent makes contact with your clear and well defined vision, you are sure to reach the green.


Okay, so what does this have to do with precast concrete?  Everything.  This is an industry that was created by people with a vision.  Concrete is one of the oldest known building materials.  For centuries forms were created on site and the concrete was poured in place.  The precast industry envisioned a process that that allows these products to be produced in a factory under controlled conditions.  This new process adds value to the customer by eliminating the hassles at the job site and the delay in waiting for the concrete to reach strength.


Success in our industry came from the creativity of seeing (vision) what can be accomplished before anyone else knew it was possible.  The entrepreneurs who were skilled in concrete and and construction (talent) began forming precast concrete companies.  The result is an industry of innovative people who create endless possibilities.  Stop swinging the club long enough to see the shot in your mind, and you will create a new future for this industry.