Think - Act - Inspire

I was captivated this week with the launch of the Orion spacecraft.  After it had circled the world twice, and then splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, I was inspired to think about the future mission to an asteroid and even the planet Mars.  As a child of the 1960’s, my thoughts returned to the words of former President John F. Kennedy.   

“Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.” John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962

Thinking big!  President Kennedy set the stage, cast the vision, and set the team, and country, in motion to get to the moon.  Less than seven years later on July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon.  The following day, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on another planet.  A dream realized and a goal achieved. 

The space race spawned young and old alike to dream and plan for the impossible.  It set ablaze their imaginations and caused many to desire, think, and dream bigger.  To set their minds on achieving what was at the time impossible.  In numerous interviews the original cast of Star Trek details the hundreds of people who they have spoken to over the years that were so inspired by the television show that they pursued a career in science, technology, engineering and math. 

The impact of President John F. Kennedy’s speech unleashed a decade of possibility and he can be credited with pushing a generation to thinking, acting, and dreaming bigger! His actions and words set the tone at a national level that impacted individual households to start looking up from their day-to-day challenges to be captivated by the possibilities of what might lie beyond their communities, countries, and the stratosphere. 

Do you as a leader think, dream, and plan big?  What is the vision that you are casting that gets your team, company, and organization inspired?  Do you take the time to be intentional about these activities?  Your position as the leader should be one that includes pushing the boundaries of possibility. 

You have been given a unique position as a leader and your ability to communicate, inspire, and set your teams thoughts on what is possible, even when it sounds impossible, are actions that take a good workplace and transform it into a great workplace.  Employees are a company’s greatest asset.  Treating them well is expected.  Inspiring them to do, think, and achieve more is directly tied to the words and actions of the leadership. 

President Kennedy could have set his sites on just earthly ambitions in his 1962 speech. His desire as a leader helped propel an entire generation, and even in his death a year later, people still wanted to attain what he had challenged them to achieve.  As you set your sites on 2015, what are you going to challenge your workforce to achieve?  What impossible task is possible with their collective blood, sweat, and love? 

The sky is the limit and the moon is just beyond your reach.  “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Napoléon Hill