4 Tips to Casting a Compelling Vision

Every leader needs to be able to cast vision. Casting vision is about painting such a compelling picture of the future that others are willing to follow you on the journey that you’re on. So whether you’re a church planter gathering your launch team, a pastor working on a building plan, a contractor focused on a renovation, or a parent needing to deal with your child’s behavior, being able to cast a compelling vision is leadership 101.

Here are a few tips on casting vision:

1. Start with prayer. Every great vision is birthed in the prayer closet. If you want to cast a great vision, you need first receive a vision from God. Meditate on the Scriptures, journal and pray for your city, do this with others on your launch team and/or leadership team. I have done this multiple time for the churches and ministries that I’ve been a part of leading, and it’s always started with prayer.
2. Cast the problem and create tension. Have you ever considered why every story has an antagonist? Or how about the fact that the best stories seem to always have crises’? People won’t listen to your vision unless it answers a tangible problem. So share the problem that your vision will answer. Create tension as you explain the problem as well. People will pay more attention to the vision that you will be presenting.
3. Share a story about the future. When you cast vision, share it as a story. This will draw people into the future that you’re painting, since we all love narratives and stories. This will also put flesh on your vision so that your vision doesn’t become a stale poster on the wall that is revisited once a year. Furthermore, when you share your vision as a story, it will become more memorable and relatable for your people.
4. Corporately personalize the vision. Many people stop after they have shared their vision. By doing this, you are losing a prime opportunity to move people to action. Instead, once you cast your vision, take one more step and explain how your people can personalize it. For example, what type of personal commitment can they make towards helping that vision become reality? Or, who can they share the vision with? This seems like a simple step, but it will result in great dividends as you strive to bring life to your vision.

Casting vision is not a simple endeavor, it’s more of an art form, than a science. So practice, practice, and practice. Practice writing out your vision, sharing it with others, and reciting it in front of a video camera. Don’t give up because the moment you are able to cast a vision that’s compelling enough for others to follow you, it’s like you’re providing glasses to the blind. People begin seeing the future for the first time.