Will Your Vision Mature with Your Potential?

Parts II and 2

“If you do what you’ve always done, you may only get what you have always gotten.”

Potential is such a vast subject; sometimes it’s best to combine philosophies if possible.

Part I of II was The Promise of Potential, and that idea has not changed.

Part 1 of 2 was Will Your Vision Help You Reach Your Potential?, and “Promise Without Vision doesn’t exist.”

Part of being a professional is taking the time to mature into your role. Many people live their entire lives without a vision for their career or lives. They jump from idea to idea, searching for what works. A sobering commentary. Once you identify the right vision and start acting on it, does it mature with your potential? Pursuing professionalism and maintaining momentum are the next two phases in a maturing vision and pursuing potential.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Pursuing Professionalism

Some people never grow up.

Maturing means growing up, not just getting older. How I acted as a lieutenant was not permissible for a lieutenant colonel (CEO). What I did as a captain (regional manager) was insufficient for my duties as a colonel (senior executive). A solid vision and the promise of potential should reflect the hallmarks of a professional.

1.    Improved Performance. Coworkers notice your increased productivity, appreciate it, and let you know how much they believe in you. Your supervisors do the same. This motivates you to perform even better.

2.    Incites Patience. You accept that success isn’t instantaneous; it takes time because “leaders are developed over time and with great care” (Randolph, 2019).

3.    Instills Perseverance. “There’s no traffic on the extra mile.” (Minor, 2008). Working toward your potential will require the extra miles of additional work hours, increased scholarship, and a maturing vision.

4.    Introduces Persuasion. Now that you have credibility and sustainability, you can negotiate with more confidence for a win-win. Leadership is the art and science of influencing others, but not berating, badgering, or bullying people into following you.

5.    Infuses Peace. When you have clarity of purpose and your vision aligns with your potential, it brings you peace in your professional endeavors.

The greatest derailer on this list is impatience. In short, the pettiness of impatience can disrupt your plans and stall your forward motion.

Maintaining the Momentum

It’s always easier to keep going than to stop and start again.

When you lose momentum, you slow the inertia that’s moving you forward. Pursuing your potential is playing the Long Game, just like leadership development, so patience is a must for steady progress. Maintaining momentum is a personal responsibility, not strictly your supervisor’s obligation. Let your competitive advantages (combat multipliers) work for you over time. This will keep the wheels moving, promotions coming, and success as a trademark of your career. While maintaining your momentum, always keep these considerations in mind:

Does your vision mature as you come closer to reaching your potential?

Do you continue to have mentors helping you identify your potential?

Have you helped anyone identify their potential?

If you are pursuing your potential, what power has it provided you?

When will you use the power of potential to begin developing the leader in you?

References:

Minor, R. (2008). There’s no traffic on the extra mile: Lessons on the road from dreams to destiny. New York: Gotham.

Randolph, Jr., B.W. (2019). Inspired, not retired: Leadership lessons from father to son. Kindle Direct Publishing. https://www.amazon.com/Inspired-Not-Retired-Leadership-Lessons/dp/1087904668

Related Topics:

• The Promise of Potential in Leadership Development Success
  Will Your Vision Help You Reach Your Potential?
• Perfection: The False Expectation in Leadership
• CEO Professional Development: I’m No Superperson