Developing a vision statement
In Module 1, you began the process of the Leadership Growth Plan with a thorough self-assessment. Then you identified and prioritized your most important values and motivators and explored your basic leadership style. In this module, you will establish your vision and determine what you need to do to become the kind of leader that other people will follow.
The path to leadership will contain obstacles. To deal with obstacles, determine the sacrifices you are willing to make, identify hidden opportunities, and divide the problem into manageable pieces.
Keys to the Assignment
Write your vision (1-2 pages)
Imagine it is 10 years into the future. You feel that you have achieved your potential and become the leader you have always wanted to be. You have been invited to the local Elks Lodge to talk about your life’s journey, your accomplishments, your failures, your changes in beliefs and attitudes, and the vision you see for yourself in the next 10 years. Write a story to describe your vision of yourself.
Use these questions to guide your thinking:
In the last 10 years:
· What is your typical day like?
· Who do you interact with?
· What are you thinking about?
· What are you feeling?
· What skills do you possess?
In another 10 years:
· What do you hope your day is like in your next 10 years?
· Will this list of people you interact with change?
· Will you think about different topics?
· How do you plan on feeling about things?
· What skills will you gain over the next 10 years?
While you are dreaming, think about your legacy. Imagine yourself at the end of your career. What do you want people to say about you after you are gone? How must you start living now in order for that to happen?
When you have finished writing your story,
summarize the vision so it is easy to remember. Think of something or someone that symbolizes it. This summary should be no longer than three or four sentences and should be denoted in the paper by a separate heading. Keeping your personal vision in mind is highly motivating.
Identify obstacles (1-2 pages)
Internal obstacles are thoughts, opinions, and beliefs that can prevent you from moving forward. External obstacles are situations or conditions outside of yourself that can prevent you from achieving your goals. Make a chart comparing the internal and external barriers you see as standing in the way of achieving your vision.
Nearly all internal barriers are within your control. The barriers outside of your control are largely external. These are things you have no influence over. It is fruitless to fret over barriers you cannot control. Focus on the ones you have some control over.
There are three proven techniques for dealing with obstacles:
· Decide what you are willing to give up in order to eliminate the obstacle.
· Identify hidden opportunities or strategies that could help you face the obstacle.
· Chunk the problem into manageable pieces, so you can deal with each smaller piece separately. You could also compromise. This would enable you to accomplish two seemingly independent tasks or goals at once.
How will you overcome your obstacles?
SLP Assignment Expectations
· Include a cover page and reference page in addition to the 2-4 pages of analysis described above (address the 5 bullet points).
· Remember that when an assignment calls for 2-4 pages, the assignment was created to result in a paper 4 pages in length; however, your professor may accept a paper that is at least 2 full pages.
· Your paper must include introduction and conclusion paragraphs.
· Use headings to indicate major sections of the report (this is the “organization” part of the grading rubric)..
· Cite and reference all sources used to complete this assignment. Your reference list must contain at least 3 high quality peer-reviewed references from the Trident Online Library..
· Use APA formatting according to the 7th edition..
· Proofread and edit your papers carefully. The expectation is zero errors.The best tool to do this is the Editor tool found in MS Word toolbar at the top of the page.
