Lots of people pride themselves as being expert in dealing with a crisis or being able to “put out fires”. The question is how many of these fires do they actually create due to a lack of  a clear and specific vision; goals and  planning? They “put out the fire” that they started but how much damage do they cause (and leave behind for others to clean up)  in the process? As the saying goes – “show a man (or woman) who excels at putting out fires…and I will show you a pyro-maniac”. What I have also found in my coaching experience is that these folks usually settle for below average results because they are more focused on “putting out their self created fire” and not the impact it has on what they are trying to accomplish or the people they work with. Make no mistake, pyro-maniacs have a devastating effect on their employees.

So, what causes this to occur? Well a couple of things. First, they lack a clear and specific vision. They have no idea where they want to go or how they will get there. Look, running a business or serving in a senior executive role isn’t always clear. But trying to be successful in a “making it up as you go” mode has its very significant challenges, many of which could be avoided with a vision. Your vision is your dream for the future.  A business without a vision is directionless. It lacks purpose and heart. It lacks the essential idea from which commitment, growth and the sense of personal achievement emerge. A vision is a clearly-articulated, results-oriented picture of a future you intend to create. It is a dream with direction.  So, without a vision you are well positioned to create “fires”.

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