Point Persons to the Future

Vision is a multi-layered  characteristic. Taken literally, it refers one's ability to physically see what is before him or her. On a more abstract level, however, it speaks to one's concept of what they feel could or might be. It is a projection of the future. Thus, from this perspective, all of us have vision. The difference is found in whether people have one or choose to exercise their ability to look ahead and imagine what is possibly around the corner. One's vision, it should be noted, is not always positive. It can be negative and even quite alarming. It can also be inspirational as well as be totally contrary to what other's might see.

Over a century ago, Henry Ford, to give one example, had a vision when it came to transportation. Late in his life he acknowledged his vision ran counter to that of many others. Famously, he said if he had created what others foresaw, then he would have come up with a faster horse. Instead, the result of Ford's vision was the automobile. The challenge when it comes to vision, of course, is two-fold: how well one communicates it and how well they are able to implement it. For a vision to become  real, it is vital that both elements be carried out successfully. President Kennedy's vision of America eventually landing a man on the moon is a case-in-point.

Professional communicators can play a key role in the successful articulation and implementation of visions. By crafting key messages, working closely with key, targeted publics, and devising strategies that help assure folks that change generated by vision is to be embraced, these men and women are important players in helping people and, more broadly, society advance. They often serve as the navigator or the visionary's point-person. Ideally, the two should work closely together. Even more ideally, the two should understand and even share the same perspective of what the future might be. Sometimes, the two can even be the same person.