This is part 2 of 4 in our Homebrew Leadership series.
Why is your character on their current adventure?
It takes a lot of courage and determination to take up a quest, no matter how big or small. Whether it's to protect the village or save the world from an apocalyptic calamity, your character has a reason to go on adventure.
Do they want to protect their family so that they can build a life they never had as a child?
Do they want revenge on the local tyrant so that they can bring peace to their ancestors?
Do they believe they are in service to a higher power that will make the world a better place?
That reason is a type of leadership vision:
What You Want + Why + So That (Outcome) is true about the world.
If your character has a vision, they are willing to take on that quest – hook, line, and adventure.
In real life, usually when we think of “visionary” leaders, we think of entrepreneurs and innovators with wild creativity tucked away in a black turtleneck sweater. They are likely charismatic, excel at public speaking, and have a way of captivating others with their words.
You don’t have to be a bard CEO to have such a vision.
Everyone has a vision for themselves and the world around them that they hold on to, whether they’ve been able to articulate it or not. As a part of Homebrew Leadership, YOU can create your own leadership vision. If you’re connected with your Hero Within (Session 12), this process becomes an extra dimension you can explore when you feel like you need to embody some more “main character energy” in your life.
You can start to articulate your own personal vision by exploring questions like these:
Hook. What energizes you to act? When you think about the impact you want to have on the world, what did you change or make real? What is something you take a stand for? What do you want to see more of in the world?
Line. Complete this mad lib:I help [who or what] to [ ______ ] by [ ______ ] so that [ your impact ] because [ your why ]. Once you’ve completed the mad lib, try it again about 3-5 more times. Then, pick the one that resonates the most (the one that you can literally feel in your body), then share it with five others individually. Pay attention to what feels exciting and authentic to you. If you want to take it a step further, imagine what it would be like if your vision was fully realized. Think about what your day-to-day might look like. Consider how people interact differently. Imagine a future headline or newspaper article that describes what you’ve accomplished.
Adventure. Place your desired mad lib in a place where you can see it. Find ways in your day-to-day life to fulfill that vision OR set goals that help you get closer. Not everything in your life needs to be infused with this vision, but make sure it is aligned with the things that matter most to you, including: career, social life, personal wellbeing, hobbies, and long-term goals.
When you’re articulating your vision, it’s really easy to get caught up in the “how” to realize that vision. As much as you can, focus on the “what” instead. The “what” is the endgame, the outcome, the world that is changed because you realized your vision. THAT is the motivating force behind any vision and once you’ve articulated it, it makes it much easier to align and figure out the how as you go.
Even if you don’t have an idea as to what step #1 might look like, a well-articulated vision can help you define which activities and decisions are NOT going to help you get there - which can honestly be more effective than you might think. Saying no to side quests that don’t help you achieve your vision frees you up to pursue adventures that really matter.
And remember, just because it’s your vision doesn’t mean you have to pursue it alone. Every adventurer enlists help in some way or another, whether that’s through mentors, collaborators, or friends they meet along the way. In fact, sharing your vision of what’s possible is one way to bring it closer to reality and you never know who might have the same dream thinking that they were the only ones.
So, why are YOU on your current quest?
Hook, line, adventure!
Sincerely,
Autumn & Jerod