Perhaps you have had a genius idea, a vision, a swell of inspiration, or even an entire strategic plan come through you as if you’ve just downloaded the brilliance of the universe in a moment.

Ever experience that? I have.

Nearly every time I get a visionary download I think I will remember the details and insights of my vision. As a leader of multiple businesses, mother of four, and highly engaged human I frequently am on to my next big responsibility and within a matter of moments the brilliant, clear, and vivid vision I caught has all but disappeared.

Or at least that used to happen until I created structure for vision to come through me. That structure has changed everything.

Maybe you’ve had a moment where an idea strikes you, every cell of your being is engaged but by the time you get out of the shower the idea has passed.

Extraordinary vision gets realized not because of a moment of inspiration or insight but rather because of the structure that gets put in place to bring the vision to form.

Structure is the framework or operational plan that a vision needs to be realized.

Structure and execution may not be your gift. C-suite leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs are often highly visionary and inspirational. That does not mean they are necessarily great executors or operators. It also doesn’t mean that creating all the infrastructure for a great vision is best done by them.

Great leaders understand the importance of creating structure for their big ideas to come to life.

The best visions are collaborative in nature, require the involvement of others, and come to life because of structures that fulfill upon the spirit of the vision.

Vision is boundless, broad, expansive, and aspirational. Structure is grounded in reality and concretizes the necessary parameters and steps needed for vision. One without the other is oppressive and reckless.

Have you ever worked with a visionary leader that has an endless well of ideas but nearly no muscle to bring their ideas to life. It can be exhausting. Painful for the leader and exhausting for their teams. Unless you understand how to hold vision lightly and listen for what vision is ready to get built you may find yourself on a rollercoaster of inspiration. And while that may sound fun it gets old quickly.

Very frequently I meet people that express great enthusiasm. Much less frequently do I meet people that express great enthusiasm and then do something with it. Anyone can spout off words. I am much more interested in the person that can take ideas and bring them to life.

As a transformational leader I want your team, your organization, your clients, and the relationships that matter most to you to know you as someone who does what they say they’re going to do. I want you to know yourself as someone who can be trusted when you give your word to a vision.

Next time a vision that you want to act on comes through you follow this structure:

  1. Write down your vision. It’s best to have a central place where you reliably capture your vision. Whether it’s a journal, the notes app in your phone, or a voice memo—collect the inspiration that comes through you in the quiet of your mornings or the hustle of your days. Writing down the vision that comes through you relieves the pressure of having to remember details and gives you the space to come back to an idea and vet it.
  2. Document the body sensations and feelings that accompany your vision. Vision is not intellectual or logical. Real vision is a somatic and full body experience that integrates your head, your heart, and your gut. Documenting your experience of the download will give you great insight when you revisit your notes. Documenting your body sensations and feelings creates kinesthetic memory retrieval.
  3. Identify three immediate and actionable steps that you can take in the next 15 days to create some energy and momentum around your vision. That may involve a brainstorming session or a meeting scheduled. Get into action.

Creating structures that bring your vision to form signals to your Self, the world around you and to the immutable laws of the universe that you can be trusted. I want that for you.

I want you to trust you. I want the world around you to trust you. I want you to continue being open to the endless guidance that goes far beyond your thinking mind.

Leading with vision is your edge. It is what compels incredible talent to join your team. It is what enables the people around you to navigate challenges when they arise. Leading with vision and having structure in place gives you and your organization a sense of direction, guidance, and purpose. Vision structure is stabilizing in the best of ways. It breaks a big idea down into manageable pieces and allows you to experience immediate success.

If you’re ready to expand your sense of what’s possible and begin leading with vision in a way that is sustainable and impactful, I’d love to support you. I work 1:1 with a limited number of C-Suite leaders, founders and high performers each year. Learn about working with me.

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