Boldness Drives Vision
Fifty years ago, on May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave a historic speech before a joint session of Congress that set the United States on a course to the moon.
In his speech, Kennedy called for an ambitious space exploration program that included not just missions to put astronauts on the moon before the decade ended, but also a Rover nuclear rocket, satellites and other space projects.
It is unfortunate that most will remember JFK for what happened about 2 1/2 years after giving this speech - being assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. However just over eight years after the speech, on July 20, 1969, NASA's Apollo 11 mission would land the first humans on the moon. His Boldness on May 25th 1961 acts not only a legacy, but it set the international business world on its head.
How?
Kennedy allowed the realization that there is a discipline to exploring new ideas that involves thinking at a big picture level and resisting the temptation to choose the right idea too quickly.
While his idea would normally have been enough to turn heads, JFK’s willingness to go out on a limb with his very public speech and champion a bold new direction showed that great leaders stretch the boundaries of what seem possible and challenge people to rise to the occasion.
JFK demonstrated in one speech that:
Leaders don’t make a big impact without being a little adventurous
Leaders suspend judgment and consider a variety of ideas
Every great accomplishment begins with a bold idea
When we talk about how boldness drives a vision in today’s modern world, we can look at two behavioural continua. Some leaders have a tendency to be adventurous while others are more cautious. Some leaders are not afraid to speak out with their bold ideas while others hold back.
“Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” - Paul Brandt
What is your leadership tendencies? How could you be bolder in driving a vision for your organisation? Check out our range of Leadership Programs and Coaching Services to find out more!