Conveying Your Vision Matters
As I write this post, Mitt Romney has just suspended his Presidential campaign. I actually had the opportunity to watch his speech. I suspect that had he given the same speech much earlier, he would have done much better with the voters. For the first time, I could clearly understand his vision. He talked about the importance of families and children having fathers. He spoke about our country's challenge with so much money going outside the country for energy. He focused on the importance of limiting government spending and regulations and enabling individuals and corporations to save and spend their money. Finally he spoke about the importance of winning the war on terrorism.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, has articulated a clear vision from his very first speech. Last July I watched the first Democratic debate. Afterwards, I taped the discussion on Fox News with a focus group. Even then, when he was not well known, he connected with the focus group because he skillfully articulated his vision for change and working together to build a better future.
I am reading a great book titled: "Charisma: Seven Keys to Developing Magnetism That Leads to Success" by Tony Alessandra. In the chapter on vision, Alessandra tells the story of a kindergarten teacher who asked a student what she was drawing: "I'm drawing a picture of God," the child quickly answered. "But sweetheart," said the teacher, "no one knows what God looks like." The young girl replied: "They will in a minute!"
Alessandra notes: "Charismatic people possess a similar, almost childlike faith in their vision and their ability to create change. People will follow leaders (and clients will rely on lawyers) whose vision inspires them and makes their lives more meaningful."
Do you have a clear vision for your future? Do you convey to your clients a clear vision of how you can help them?
