Where Are You Going?

by Ircel Harrison

When Alice encounters the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, she asks, “Which way should I go?’ The Cheshire Cat responds by asking her where she is headed, and she answers that she doesn’t know. “Well,” the Cheshire Cat replies, “then any road will do.”


Whether we are thinking about our own personal journeys or the work of the churches and organizations we lead, if we don’t know where we are going, we may just be wandering around in the forest.

Each of us will be more effective persons (and leaders as well) if we have reflected upon what is important to us and gives us the desire to get up in the morning. In Helping People Change: Coaching with Compassion, the authors write:

“Put simply, a personal vision is an expression of an individual's ideal self and ideal future. It encompasses dreams, values, passions, purpose, sense of calling, and core identity. It represents not just what a person desires to do, but also who she wishes to be.”

Articulating who you want to be takes time, reflection, and introspection. Leadership coaches partner with individuals to do this type of work. In our Summit Coach Training, we offer a course that deals with this process. The next one begins May 6. You can learn more about it HERE or by contacting me.

Organizations, including churches, also need a vision. In Leadership Revolution: The Future of Developing Dynamic Leaders, Lori Mazan states:

“The best coaching and training expertise in the world can't help a business that doesn't know what it really wants.”


What does your church really want? Does it desire to thrive and prosper in God’s mission or does it simply hope to survive? A vision provides a direction and purpose to bring people together and make an impact on their community and world.

Hammering out a vision is not easy, but the most persistent and enduring vision is one that is produced by more than one person and becomes the guide for the entire group, church, or organization. Even if the leader leaves, the vision can continue to be pursued.

Vision gives us clarity and a picture of where we want to be. Creating vision is worth the effort. If you want to learn more about an effective visioning process, take a look at the Pinnacle Leadership Associates website or contact Dan Holloway, our consulting coordinator.