Leadership is about turning dreams into action. People follow another person because that person is a compelling vision of the future. As a consequence, a leader must forward-looking. In other words, leaders know where they are going (mission) and who they want to be when they get there (vision). However, before you can create a vision and mission for others, you must start with yourself. You must begin with an inner quest to discover who you want to be. In this class, you will take the first step in this process.

1. Prepare a purpose and vision statement. This reflection and writing exercise provides direction in your quest to become an effective leader. While the writing requirement is relatively short, the time and reflection required is significant. Please don’t write what you think sounds good to others; this assignment will be most valuable to you if it reflects your authentic self. It is worth 100 points and should be 3 pages in length. It must include:

• Who Am I? essay (1 page; the ability to write in concise and compelling form is an valuable skill)
  • Summarize the three most formative experiences that explain your leadership identity (e.g. to what extent you see yourself as a leader (or not) and the kind of leader you are today).
• Personal Mission and Vision Statement (1 page)

A purpose statement should be one sentence. To help you write this statement, think about:

• Why do you exist?
• What is your unique contribution?
• How might you change the world? Help others? Who are these others?
• What work do I find enthralling, stimulating, absorbing?
• What is my personal agenda? What do I want to prove?

A vision statement should be 3-5 sentences. To help you write this statement, think about:

• What horizon are you hoping to accomplish these goals (5 yrs, 10yrs, 50 yrs?)
• What are you most wildly important goals?
• What could be your happiest future moments?
• What is the tangible, measurable evidence that you are accomplishing your personal mission?

Describe the process you took to identify your personal mission and vision statements and why they are meaningful to you.

• How will I get there? (1 page)
  • List, describe and commit to the three most important things that you need to do starting today (and that you are not currently doing) to achieve your personal purpose and vision.