Leadership – Vision Through Execution
“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
— Joel A. Barker
I am a dreamer.
When I was a kid, I dreamt of being Spider-Man—swinging through the city, saving the day, doing something bold and heroic. But here’s the truth: dreaming without execution is just a dream.
This same truth applies to leadership. Great leaders must have a vision—something meaningful, clear, and inspiring. But without a plan to carry it forward and the discipline to follow through, a vision is nothing more than a wish.
Let me tell you a story that brings this to life.
The Vision
My sister Shelly was a standout high school athlete—especially on the track. She was fast, determined, and disciplined. But during her sophomore year at the conference meet, she lost to another runner who was taller, with a longer stride and more raw speed.
After that race, she told our dad:
“Next year, I want to win conference.”
That was the vision. A bold, clear direction. A goal to pursue.
The Plan
Instead of just hoping for a different result next year, Dad and Shelly got to work.
They knew she might never be naturally faster than the reigning champion—but they also realized she could create an advantage by dominating the start.
So Dad built her a set of starting blocks in the backyard. Every day, she worked on her starts. But that wasn’t all. Shelly also knew she had to become a better sprinter overall. So after volleyball practice, after basketball, and after track, she stayed late to work on both her starts and her speed.
This was the execution of the vision: a plan formed, action taken, progress measured.
The Moment
One year later—conference finals.
Shelly stepped into the blocks. Everything they had worked on was about to be tested.
The gun went off—BOOM.
Leadership Lesson (Before the Finish Line)
Let’s pause right here.
This moment—between the vision and the outcome—is where leadership often lives.
The outcome may be uncertain, but what is certain is the work that led to this point. A leader’s job is not only to cast a vision but to walk beside their people through the planning, the preparation, and the execution.
It’s not about being flashy or having the perfect roadmap. It’s about:
- Setting a clear direction
- Building a practical plan to get started
- Adjusting that plan while the work is in motion
- Encouraging others to stay with it when it’s hard
- Believing in the process, even when you can’t yet see the result
The “BOOM” is the moment of truth. But what matters most is everything done leading up to it. Leaders guide their teams to this moment—and trust them to rise when the time comes.
Back Up 15 Minutes: A Father’s Hustle
Now let’s rewind.
Fifteen minutes earlier, Dad was running late. Really late.
But when you’re a committed parent—and a committed leader—you find a way to show up. He pushed the speed limit, raced to the school, and pulled into the parking lot on two wheels. He jumped out of the truck, sprinted across the grass, and vaulted over a fence just in time.
Shelly was already in the blocks—but she saw him.
The Finish
BOOM.
Shelly exploded off the line. Everything they practiced—the blocks, the starts, the sprints—clicked. She created a huge lead early. The defending champ tried to close the gap, but it was too much.
Shelly crossed the finish line first.
She was the new conference champion.
And the first person to hug her?
Dad.
Leadership Is Celebrating the Journey
That final hug wasn’t just a celebration of a win. It was a recognition of the journey they had walked together.
That’s the other side of leadership: you celebrate with your team when you’ve been part of it all—from vision, to plan, to grind, to breakthrough.
You’re not cheering from the sidelines. You’re shoulder to shoulder. You’ve seen the early mornings, the doubts, the small wins, and the big setbacks. So when success comes, it means more. And you’re the first to say: “You did it. We did it.”
Final Thought
Leadership is not just casting a vision—it’s walking the road.
It’s dreaming with direction, planning with humility, and executing with consistency.
And when your team crosses the finish line—be the first one to hug them.
Because you were in it from the start.