The Unseen Real

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

A fundamental quality of effective leadership is to be able to see, and then embrace, what is yet actually real. For it is in this quality that the seeds of a hopeful future are planted, watered and later realized.

Unfortunately, leaders can go for months without being conscious of the yet “unseen” potential or possible reality. Thus they start to loose hope, and fail to infuse ongoing optimism into their people and organization.

The following Spiritual truth applies not only to one’s faith, but also to leadership:

“It is especially easy for people to regard the supernatural world, and it’s activities, as somehow less real than the world they behold with their senses. As twentieth-century Christians, we live in a materialistic age in which our methods of learning are based on visible and logical methods. The presuppositions of these methods have misled and blinded many individuals to the deep truths of God, and the Unseen Real.” (Leanne Payne, Listening Prayer.)

Scripture also teaches us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”  In many ways, leadership is all about reaching out toward the unseen. Therefore, each day, a leader needs to take time to reflect and envision the unrealized potential in themselves and their organization – and then make the choice to believe in, and step toward that potential. This is not always easy, but that is what you are paid to do… otherwise, this role needs to be given to someone else who is willing to step up to the plate.

How about you? Is believing in, and embracing, the “unseen” evident in your leadership? If not, take some time away to rekindle your hope in the future.

** This New Year, as you look toward the future, seek to discern and bring into reality new possibilities for your employees and organization.  Continually fix your eyes on what is still unseen – and then lead in that direction.