The Law of Navigation (4)

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John Maxwell Chapter 4 - The Law of Navigation

Anyone Can Steer The Ship, But It Takes A Leader To Chart the Course

Every leader has to have a vision for himself and the people he is leading.  In the Bible, it states that 'without a vision, the people will perish.'  A vision and an end goal is important to make sure that you are always on the right path toward success and so that you don't wake up one day and realize that your foundation is crumbling from underneath you and see that your world is falling apart.

As a leader, you have to realize that there are people relying on your ability to steer them in the right direction.  Other people are depending on you and your ability to chart a good course.  We all have the opportunity to control our lives and our direction.  When we have a good plan and stick diligently to it, we control our direction.  You having control over your direction is better than you being controlled by it.  Not only do you have to control the direction of your people, but you have to figure out what that direction is and how to get there.  You have to create the vision, you have to understand how to get there, and you have to know what it will take to get there.

The leader has to be able to see more than others see, see farther than others see, and see before others do.

To create the vision and keep your team on the right track, you have to:
- draw on past experiences
- look at your current conditions
- listen to others
- rely on both faith and fact

There will be obstacles throughout your journey, and the leader must be able to navigate through rough waters.  Having a well thought out plan will help you on your journey.   Preparation is the key to the law of Navigation.  When you prepare well, you convey confidence amd trust to people.  The preparation is everything.

To help yourself on this journey, make sure to practice reflection throughout your journey.  Set aside time every week to reflect on your experiences so that you can learn and grow from them.