Translating Vision Into Reality

I love this definition on leadership by Warren Bennis, an American scholar and pioneer of  the field of Leadership Studies. He says, "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."


When leading, many of us get caught up in the details.  And usually, our energies are drained in these details that we lose sight of the bigger vision.  We need to empower people who can manage these "details" and focus on making the vision into reality.  Thus, for us to be on track in leading, allow me to share my recent learning:

1. Draw a Road Map. Begin with drawing up the vision (which is the destination of the road map), then work backwards to where you are now.  Working backwards means to continually ask, "How can the vision be achieved?"

2. Look for People who can move you Forward.  We enlist the people who can best deliver the requirements to move us forward in the road map.  Many times we commit the mistake of getting the people first and trying to match the task.  We have to define the task first, then look for the people who can achieve it.

3.  Empower Your Team. It is important that your team embraces the vision and knows exactly how they are contributing towards it.  Teamwork and trust helps us move forward faster. As Covey would put it, "The Speed of Trust."

4. Apply Kaizen. Kaizen, a japanese word means "Change for the better."  As we strive towards our vision, we seek for continuous improvement. We can apply the PDCA cycle which is, "Plan-Do-Check-Adjust."  Using this cycle, we are able to enhance our methods and advance further towards our vision.  We do all these in prayer with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus came from heaven to earth to save us from our sins, to set us free (Luke 4). This was His vision, His road map while on earth.  He called the 12 apostles and empowered them.  He died for our sins, and brought salvation to mankind. And before ascending into heaven, he tells His apostles, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Jesus tells them that they will do greater things (like Kaizen) because the Father will send the Holy Spirit.


Christ has called us to lead with vision. Let us once again fall in love with the vision that we have and share this romance with those we lead.

The Missionary Lifestyle

We're getting ready for Myanmar! I'm with SFC Backpackers.  In the same week, there are mission teams who are backpacking to Chiang Mai (Thailand), Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.  These mission volunteers spend for their own fare and food.  They take time out from their work and give time for the Lord's work.

Is it possible for Christians of today to make Mission as part of their lifestyle? I say Yes!

Today is Mission Sunday. Our concept of missionaries are priests, nuns, and brothers.  The clergy comprises only of less than 1% of the whole Church.  Isn't it only logical that we, the lay, should respond urgently to mission since we are the rest of the 99% of the Church?

I believe that the efforts of these young missionaries will snowball into a whole new lifestyle for Christians...the Missionary Lifestyle.  What exactly is the Missionary Lifestyle?

1. A Lifestyle of Witnessing
This is everyday evangelization.  Witnessing is about living in the power of the Holy Spirit. Witnesses talk with their actions.  Others are attracted to become Christians because of the example of the witness.  A missionary lives out Christ's mission at home and in the workplace.

2. A Lifestyle of Empowerment
A Missionary is dependent on the Holy Spirit.  He is humble enough to admit that he is just an instrument and the Spirit will bring forth great results. This is as long as the missionary makes himself available. Available for God's Power. He applies this principle of Empowerment even in his work and relationship with others.

3. A Lifestyle of Great Adventure
He is willing to be sent.  He puts mission first, then leisure later.  Some are choosy in their mission assignment and puts forth many conditions.  My leader once said, "If you choose your area, then you are a tourist." A lifestyle of great adventure awaits the missionary.  He can only plan his best, but God will never fail to surprise us and bless us when we do His work.

The missionary lifestyle is a counter-culture of today's "Me Lifestlye." The missionary lifestyle talks about giving and sacrificing. While the Me Lifestyle is more of taking and self-indulging. But what we are not aware of is that the more we think only about ourselves, the more we are missing out of what life has to offer.

Let us Go Out into the World like these Backpackers! This is the new generation of missionaries. All out for God, all out for His mission!

Mission-Ready!

I just came from a meeting with people whose hearts are on fire for the work of global mission! I couldn't help but be set ablaze in love for God. The Holy Spirit dwells in the praise of God's people and pours upon those who truly seek and desire His gifts for empowerment.

These are the qualities I noticed of Mission-Ready people:

1. A great desire to do God's will.
Setting up the mission is not easy. Along comes many challenges, but the desire for mission always lets us see beyond a seemingly hopeless situation. To be on mission is the command Jesus gave in His great commission. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

2. The humility that God will use them powerfully. 
Mission-Ready people know that victory is the Lord's and that God just needs their yes for Him to work His marvelous deeds. We feel unnecessary pressure if we are too reliant on our abilities or backgrounds. Genuine confidence comes from the realization that we are merely God's instruments to do His holy will.

3. Infects others to do mission.
One thing about mission-ready people is that they are very contagious. People can't help but be drawn to be part of the mission they are passionately talking about. When we form teams for mission, many of those who come are influenced by the team leader.


4. Willingness to Sacrifice.
They set aside personal resources to make the mission possible. They also use up their limited leave of absences to do mission. There will be discomforts in mission and a lack of rest. But it is the sacrifice that makes our offering pleasing to God.

Being Mission Ready sets us up to receive God's providence. How can we receive His blessings if we are not ready as a vessel to be filled? Readiness is very impotant since God opens up divine opportunities or kairos, and we have to seize the moment or we will lose the chance to be used fully by the Lord and experience His awesome power.

Let us be like Abraham when God called Him, he immediately responded, "Ready!" (Gen 22:1)

The Power to Achieve the Impossible

We had a planning session today. It's amazing when hearts and minds meet and are led to a common purpose.  How powerful it is for the burning passion of individuals to combine and create a blazing fire of will!  Some call it synergy, I'd call it the power of the Holy Spirit.  

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us (Luke 24:32)?"

If you really look at the great commission, it's humanly impossible. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... (Mt. 28:19)."  But what gave the first Christian community the zeal and commitment to do this?  

a. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The disciples lost heart and were fearful without their leader, Jesus Christ.  But Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit, "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven (Luke 24:49)."  And so when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, their fearful hearts were filled with courage, confidence, and boldness.

b. The Good News

 "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33)." Christ resurrection was too good a news.  One cannot just be passive about it, specially the apostles.   If one kept it inside, he would surely burst.  The message was so great that it will fill the earth.

c. His kingdom on earth

The apostles were to build a community of believers, the Church.  "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had (Acts 4:32)." They were determined to establish Christian communities throughout the world.  Paul was most passionate in his missionary work and brought Christ to many places despite perils and dangers of death.

In serving God, a person needs the Holy Spirit. More so, we need a community of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit. Imagine what a group can do, knowing fully that no less than God is giving them the power to achieve the impossible.  Let us then desire His outpouring upon us, and let the blazing fire of the Holy Spirit fill us to do His holy will!

See One, Do One, Teach One

I heard from one of my leaders a simple process of empowerment. It's "see one, do one, teach one." Being a keen observer and absorber is important in the "see one" process. In learning, we first witness how things are done and the kind of culture and environment we are in. We see how transactions are made. We see how our mentors handle their meetings and dealings. We see how a talk or seminar is delivered. We see how products are made. We see one.

"Do one" means being hands-on. Trying out what we have seen. This takes courage for there is a great risk of failure. But by failing, we learn a great deal. It is through this that lessons are imprinted upon us. As we continue to practice, we become better at our craft until we become experts in our field.

What is all our knowledge and experience for if we can't pass it on to someone? "Teach one" is about paying forward. It is now our turn to let others observe what we do. It is our time to mentor those who are new and have the hope that one day this student will surpass us.

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12).