“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” – Oprah Winfrey
When we read biographies of successful people, one recurring theme always stands out: vision.
Not just a goal, but a clear direction — a precise ambition.
In Be Useful, Arnold Schwarzenegger shares how, the moment he saw Reg Park play Hercules, he pictured himself becoming a bodybuilding champion and a movie star.
That mental image fed his determination, pushed him to the gym, drove him to Hollywood… and even into politics.
If you’re looking for an inspiring read, I highly recommend the book. And in the original audiobook, Arnold’s voice brings all his energy and personality into the story.
A Clear Personal Vision… and a Professional Blur
I’ve always had a pretty clear vision for my personal life:
✅ Finding love (it took a while, but 26 years later thank you, Estel ♥)
✅ Having children (initially 4, but we ended up with 2 and it’s perfect)
✅ Growing old in good health (because yes, I’m genuinely afraid of dying!)
But professionally?
That was a whole different story.
At various points, I wanted to be a sports commentator, a doctor (for about 5 minutes), then a translator…
Eventually, I pursued a degree in chemistry all the way to a master’s — without truly knowing what I wanted to do.
When my first son was born while I was writing my thesis, I needed to start earning.
My first job after 7 years of university? Lab analyst, earning $17.32/hour.
Not quite the dream — but it was a start.
The Moment That Changed Everything
I later accepted a new job without fully knowing what I was getting into…
But it turned out to be a great stepping stone — and a day shift, which made family life easier.
My first supervisor became one of my greatest allies (thank you, Louise). She took me under her wing and taught me the ropes.
Then came my next boss who was someone I had actually had a verbal disagreement with just a few weeks earlier.
I dreaded how things would go. But to my surprise, he became the best leader I’ve ever had.
During my annual review, he told me something I’ll never forget:
“The sky is the limit. You have everything it takes to succeed.”
For someone struggling with self-confidence, it was a shock no, an electric shock.
That one sentence changed my trajectory.
It gave me the courage to imagine something different. Something bigger.
That’s when I truly understood the power of a leader’s words.
Writing My Vision to Move Forward
During my MBA, in a career management class, we were asked to write a 5-year career plan.
That 5–8 page document became the most important piece of writing in my entire professional life (even more than my dusty thesis sitting on a shelf).
That’s when I realized what I really wanted:
👉 To become a compassionate, empowering manager
👉 To help my teams push past their limits
👉 To contribute to my organization’s goals by elevating human potential
And from there, everything started aligning.
Why a Leader’s Vision Is Essential
A visionary leader doesn’t just give instructions.
They inspire, unite, guide, and energize.
Here’s how:
1. A Clear Direction
Vision acts as a compass. It aligns day-to-day tasks with a larger mission.
Even more importantly, it helps employees understand the why behind the what.
2. Motivation and Inspiration
You can have the best strategy in the world without motivation, nothing moves.
A leader who truly lives their vision, who speaks about it with passion, lights a spark.
It’s contagious and that’s what turns effort into commitment.
3. Team Cohesion
A shared vision helps prioritize, structure, and delegate with clarity.
It keeps the team from scattering in different directions.
It gets everyone moving forward together.
4. Coherent Decision-Making
When the vision is clear, decisions are easier to justify.
No need for endless explanations because the vision becomes a strategic guide.
My Former Boss Gave Me a Headlamp
Back then, I was stuck in a routine. Under pressure. Directionless.
I was doing my job well but I was waiting for opportunities to come to me.
He saw what I couldn’t yet see in myself.
And he handed me the light so I could see further ahead.
That’s what a great leader does.
They share a vision, reignite the fire, give direction, and most of all… help others grow.
What About You?
What’s your vision?
Is it clear for you… but more importantly, is it clear for your team?
Because beyond the goals, the deadlines, and the meetings the true role of a visionary leader is to open the path to new heights.
🔁 Share in the comments:
What do you do to inspire and align your team around your vision?
Discover the 5 Must-Ask Questions for Happy Teams
Do you want to better understand what motivates your team members and could help you create a happy team? My practical guide, 5 Must-Ask Questions for Happy Teams, is designed to provide you with simple and effective tools to:
- Create a climate of trust within your team
- Identify the true needs and aspirations of your employees
- Encourage meaningful conversations that foster collaboration
- Boost engagement and collective performance
- Anticipate and resolve challenges before they become obstacles
Carl-Michael Tessier M. Sc., MBA
Coach in high-performance team development and tailor-made support
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