One of the great dreamers of the 20th century was Walt Disney. Back when Walt’s two daughters were young, he used to take them to an amusement park in the Los Angeles area on Saturday mornings. Walt was especially captivated by the carousel. As he approached it, he saw a blur of bright images racing around to the tune of energetic calliope music. But when he got closer and the carousel stopped, he could see that his eye had been fooled. He observed shabby horses with cracked and chipped paint. And he noticed that only the horses on the outside moved up and down. The others stood lifeless, bolted to the floor. The cartoonist’s disappointment inspired him with a grand vision: Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensable. Why? Because vision leads the leader. It paints the target. It sparks and fuels the fire within, and draws him forward. It is also the fire lighter for others who follow that leader. Show me a leader without vision, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. At best, he is traveling in circles.
if you lack vision, look inside yourself. Draw on your natural gifts and desires. Look to your calling if you have one. And if you stil don’t sense a vision of your own, then consider partnering with a leader whose vision resonates with you. That’s what Walt Disney’s brother, Roy, did. He was a good businessman and leader who could make things happen, but Walt was the one who provided the vision. Together, they made an incredible team.
Find your vision,
and let it guide you in
all that you do.
From The Maxwell Daily Reader,
January 25
38 responses so far ↓
1 Dan Rockwell // Jan 25, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I’m living testimony to the power of vision. I spent years honing skills and working hard at being good at what I do. But, I left out vision. Not until I added vision to hard work did things start happening. Before vision I drifted. After vision, I stopped running in circles.
2 Raul dela Rosa // Jan 25, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Thanks John. Seeing the end before it happens is really what gives passion and reasons to do the things that can be drudgery sometimes. Thank so much for what you do.
3 Dawn Gilcrest // Jan 25, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Thanks for the inspiration. I found that part of finding vision came with finding my why. Why do I want to succeed? The answer to this question I believe shapes all others.
4 C.L. Webb // Jan 25, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Great story and lesson, John!
Without vision how can you “see” the path of where we are going?
“Where there is no vision the people perish.”
– Proverbs 29:18
5 C.L. Webb // Jan 25, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Great story and lesson, John!
Without vision how can we “see” the path of where we are going?
“Where there is no vision the people perish.”
– Proverbs 29:18
6 Monica Michelle // Jan 25, 2010 at 3:51 pm
For the longest, I had no vision or at best it was foggy. In return, I’ve worked hard at fueling others’ vision and gleaning any information for potential use in the future.
Now that I have seen my vision, I’m excited about those that will come to fuel mine – as we were created for relationship!
Thanks for inspiring!
7 Janice Halton // Jan 25, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Thank for being a great inspiration for the world Dr. John. My visions seems to come stronger to me now. I am still confused about some things. I am praying to God to give me clarity, because I really want to operate in my purpose.
Thanks for all your help,
8 Marti // Jan 25, 2010 at 7:15 pm
You said “It (vision) sparks and fuels the fire within, and draws him forward. ” What powerful words. I have always struggled with forming a powerful vision and you have helped me immensely through this wonderful story. Thank you so much!
9 Lisa Hamm // Jan 25, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Are you taking a group to Israel or just going yourself? If you are taking a group, are there still openings?
10 Larry Frazier // Jan 25, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Do you have a daily news letter available ?
11 Lisa Hamm // Jan 25, 2010 at 11:50 pm
For me vision comes easy. I can see so far ahead in my mind that I’ve learned not to talk about it with others because it exhausts them to keep up. The challenge with it is that it can be lonely and difficult to get others around me going in the same direction at the same rate. I’ve had to learn great patience. The great thing about it is that I’ve proven myself to those around me in this area so they trust me and know that when I see something and put my hands to it to get ready.
12 Brodwyn // Jan 26, 2010 at 2:59 am
I love posts on vision… and this post has done justice in “painting the picture” of the value of vision; excuse the pun
I personally believe it is critical to all activity (personal, business, career, etc). I’m hurt to find how often it is overlooked, underestimated and just a cheap cliche. I like the statement “leads the leader”. I often call it my trusted advisor. When suggestions/partners approach, I let the “trusted advisor” decide 
13 tony ramirez // Jan 26, 2010 at 4:30 am
Wow how awesome is that!
A man with out a vision is headed nowhere…
14 mosun alabi // Jan 26, 2010 at 7:38 am
Was just at a frustration point on the issue of carrying people along in actualising a vision.the write up is a confirmation that i should not give up – all i need is patience.thanks John.
15 Liza // Jan 26, 2010 at 8:06 am
Passion is a key ingredient in fueling & inspiring vision. What does one do when the leaders above arent communicating the vision?
16 Luis Enrique Ramirez // Jan 26, 2010 at 8:21 am
Gracias John,
Por todo lo que haz influenciado en mi vida.
Que Dios te siga bendiciendo.
17 Tammy Redmon // Jan 26, 2010 at 10:09 am
Simple and concise post on vision. Many truths lay within those words. Agreed that having a mentor that you can learn from, get that source of inspiration and even fill in those missing parts for you personally is a great strategy. Having a purpose clearly defined also is key to walking out your vision – it is the component that make the vision sustainable from my perspective.
18 akinyemi olawale // Jan 26, 2010 at 12:36 pm
i am happy for this thanks sir
19 Daniel A. Hancock // Jan 26, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I have been producing christian plays with a volunteer group of young people for about eleven years now. I have seen amateur actors and tech crews with no budget put on shows that shame the mainstream competition. One thing I’ve learned; the bigger and brighter vision, the more my team will strive for excellence. Thanks for the encouraging words!
20 Mary Ballard // Jan 26, 2010 at 2:36 pm
How great your works are to inspire me to grow daily. Thank you
21 Anonymous // Jan 26, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Wow! wat’s more? the need for vision cannot be over-emphasized before one make an headway in all aspects God purposed for us. John, thank you for the inspiration.
22 Yvonne Green // Jan 26, 2010 at 8:40 pm
It is a person’s vision and faith that allows the person into into the promised land which God has set aside.
Its lack of vision and lack of faith that keeps the person out of the promised land that God had set aside.
Either way their faith and vision are working.
They go hand in hand
Faith and vision work both in the positive as well as in the negative. A person must ask the question do I want the promised land or do I not ?
23 SRivera // Jan 26, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Thx!!
24 Ontiretse Mashamahite // Jan 27, 2010 at 1:56 am
Thanks john…
This is so true. Without vision, one can never truely lead their own life never mind other people.
It is only when you see something that you can start to work towards it.
25 Anonymous // Jan 27, 2010 at 2:56 am
great sharing!!
26 Most Tweeted Articles by Leadership Development Experts // Jan 27, 2010 at 4:45 am
[...] from Carlos Whittaker – EP by Carlos Whittaker on iTunes. Buy Carlos Whit… 2 Likes Vision: Are you moving forward… or in circles? | John Maxwell on Leadership One of the great dreamers of the 20th century was Walt Disney. Back when Walt's two daughters [...]
27 Mark // Jan 27, 2010 at 9:02 am
A question for all those smarter than me (everybody) relating to vision. Is creativity a gift or a skill? Sometimes I feel I have a rather lame vision because I lack creativity.
My inquiring mind wants to know.
28 T.S. Phori // Jan 27, 2010 at 11:12 am
A life without a clear (and SMART) vision is like chasing the unknown in the dark. I realised this few years back and told myself that I need to be focused. But we need the support of others to realise our visions and they too need us. A Khoi Proverb says: “A dream is not a dream until it is shared by the entire community”
29 Linda Carey // Jan 27, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Dear Mr. Maxwell,
You are such an inspiration in my Life. Truly a Vision of your own… God Love your heart for it is so pure and honest. I walk away with so much whenever I hear you speak or read something you have written. It is always interesting to hear or read about someone who is famous. It gives hope to those of us with visions of our own. I love to write and though I am not famous I remember writing years ago ” Writing is the food my soul needs to survive” I know you understand this sentiment.
Stay well, and thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Linda Carey
Hotpinklin@aol.com
30 Dima Lisovenko // Jan 27, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Maybe off of topic, I have a leadership question: I started teaching a 10 year old to play a guitar and I see that I don’t give him enough motivation to keep him practicing, what specifically can I say or do to motivate him to practice and make my lessons fun.
31 Isabelle Alpert // Jan 27, 2010 at 2:15 pm
PERFECT!
Just one thought: If you ‘lack’ vision….ask for it and it shall come.
32 What Vision Does « My World // Jan 28, 2010 at 10:38 am
[...] John Maxwell said, “Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensable. Why? Because vision leads the leader. It paints the target. It sparks and fuels the fire within, and draws him forward. It is also the fire lighter for others who follow that leader. Show me a leader without vision, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. At best, he is traveling in circles.” [...]
33 J.R.Agosto // Jan 28, 2010 at 11:58 am
Vision; is your gate way to seeing your most deepest and wanting dream to come to life and manafest it’s self in the natural,in other words Vision is what enables you to like your life to the fullest and in Jesus Christ.With Christ in your life and in the midst of your Vision you can accomplish your Vision,and make it a REALITY!
34 J.R.Agosto // Jan 28, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Thank you Mr.J.Maxwell;for your recent book (Put your dreams to the test),I am awaiting my copy of it,and I know it wil be agreat use an blessing to me,I’ve read most of your books and as always your writeings have helped me to mature to a leve that most people nevere get to.THANK’s
35 Carol Shannon // Jan 29, 2010 at 3:32 am
John Maxwell is a wonderful leader and great inspirational teacher and Pastor. I saw both pictures in the past year -so what God has a purpose for everything and there are nothing in Gods world happens by accident we never can understand the full scope of Gods purpose in our lives. I listen to the message God chooses the vessel and I can’t say I have anything bad to say about John Maxwell’s teaching. Its excellent.
36 Ralph Muyiwa-Oni // Jan 29, 2010 at 11:20 am
Dr John Maxwell is a phenomenon. His thoughts and imaginations are powerful and life-changing. An insight into your views on leadership and particularly vision are tranformational. As one of your proteges, your words move me daily to the fulfillment of my life vision/”big dream”.
37 Takayo Aoyagi // Jan 31, 2010 at 10:55 pm
What a coincidence to find this article today! I was searching my mission this morning. After lunch, I checked my inbox and found a newsletter and kept on reading. I somehow went to his website and ended up visiting another site for no rational reason. I found your name for the first time in life and finally came to this site. I just bought all of your books, and I strongly hope this is just the beginning…
38 Joy Pirone // Feb 7, 2010 at 12:54 am
Hi John, Thank you for sharing your profound insights and understanding of the nature of how life can work . Much appreciated, God bless you!…On this subject, I have always felt that one moves forward IN circles..The moving part is the focus, the goal, the drive, the vision,the spirit,the holy spirit even! and the circle is the tangible(individual) realities that one encounters, navigates and deals with from moment to moment and day to day beginning with self, family,church,work,finances,health, etc… Even for someone totally disengaged from life, are they not in a sense moving forward by virtue of the fact that they/we are on a planet (the circle) that is moving (us) forward through time and space? Life to me is the product of a squillion transactions happening all at once, that literally sweeps one along (like being in a waterslide in a themepark) …and for the most part I am struggling to stay right side up! Love that you are leading us..love that you on the same planet, at the same time, on the same journey and that you are a master of it! You make it easier for the rest of us. Thanks and again, God bless you…