Do you have Joan of Arc Complex? I know I do. Learn how you can tap into it.
The most important thing you can do in management, is gain belief in the possibility of destiny.
A peasant girl heard the voice of God's messenger; she was called to lead France in expulsion of their enemy England and see the French crown prince, crowned king. She gained a following, reached the prince, and convinced him to let her lead an army to victory, leading the charge riding a white horse in white armor. She led several assaults to a stunning victory for the French. After escorting the prince through hostile territory to Reims, she sees him crowned king. Advisors to the king, aligned against her. She was captured, turned over to the English and tried as a witch and a heretic, but burned at the stake for wearing men's clothes. She was nineteen years old. I can't think of a more accomplished woman, put down more violently by the men who were terrified by her message and threatened by her ability to lead.
These events are so outlandish, one may doubt they are true; historical records confirm their miraculous occurrence. She was a child with no military training, and in fact never raised a sword against anyone, yet she led an exhausted army to several key victories against a formidable foe. She was consistent in her message and effectively shared her mental model of a vision, and inspired others to fulfill their potential. She simply believed in something greater and got others to do the same. She could see a future existence and fulfillment of a destiny more profound and hopeful than anyone dreamed. The French army had floundered for over 90 years! But with her inspiration, they realized the immediate and miraculous gains of which they were capable...they simply lacked vision, unity, hope, and motivation.
There is little doubt the quality of your vision is the most essential aspect of management and leadership. But what makes a good vision in business? One of the best points made on this is from Derek and Laura Cabrera; your vision needs to be binary. You are either there, or you are not. Joan of Arc's vision was that God intended a free France with a French king on a French throne. Not that there would merely be negotiations, or won battles, or a stronger France.
Further, another important aspect of vision from the Cabreras is that it lives within the hearts and minds of your employees. It becomes a shared mental model of all, and aligns beliefs, behavior, and efforts. Similar to Joan's vision, this was the strength of the BLM movement-"Black Lives Matter" means that in any context and at any point, black lives matter. The vision is that there is never a time this is not true. Then as it lived in the hearts of people, it literally caught fire across the globe, though due to similar issues as in Joan's day, including corruption and power dynamics, its momentum has slowed. A binary vision is motivating because it creates an absolute, ideal picture in our minds.
Leading a binary, intrinsic vision that lives in the hearts of your employees is challenging. You must know your vision, it must be inspiring, and bigger than the moment. It has to be worth it and "right" in any context. Though that isn't easy, it isn't the hardest part. It takes commitment and integrity, and belief on your part, above anyone else. This means no matter the pressures, time, financial or political, you must hold the line. It is only through as Shakespeare penned, "This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day. Thou canst not be false to any man." Most people only remember the first part...but the full quote means if you are true to yourself, you will also be true with others. Building on a motivating vision, and your consistent communication of it, as Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Otherwise, work is just work.
Lori G. Fisher
PLS Management Consulting
Purpose | Leap | Surge
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