I found this quote by Warren Bennis, which used a word I am very much into: capacity. We often do not consider capacity with anything in our lives. We say yes to so much, we over budget our money, we are hopelessly romantic with our finite amount of time, and we exhaust our brains with medial decisions every day. Capacity is absolutely one of the most important words to consider.

So when I look at this quote, and it entices me with that word, I have to jump on it. 

First, if you are going to translate vision, you have to have a vision; second, define capacity; third, translate through the filter of emotional intelligence.

1. Vision is one of the simplest hard things ever. Vision, to me, is as much about perspective as it is a destination. What clarity of vision does is keep us in line on how to achieve. From a task standpoint, vision should still be accomplishable no matter what collapses under us. A key element in vision is that it needs to be narrow but broad enough that those you are leading can fit their personal vision umbrella under yours. (More on that here)

2. Define capacity for you. If you are to translate vision into reality—are you good enough at speaking, storytelling, systems and processes, actions, leverage, and decision-making? These are all prime for translating the vision. Where do you need growth, and who or what can help you get it? Don’t be stopped as a leader because you can’t translate. (Moses found his brother Aaron to help, be okay with help.)

3. When you translate: use emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is: the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you. There are five key elements to EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. EI is a skill to be developed and will excel your leadership more than anything else. (More on that here)

Leaders, lead. We need you. So find that capacity and live in the reality of what you can accomplish!

-Your Friend, Randy