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I was on a Delta flight recently, standing in the aisle as people shuffled to their seats, bags overhead, headphones going on. Before we ever left the gate, the flight attendant came on the intercom and announced our destination.
Then she did it again.
And again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this flight is headed to Washington D.C. If this is not your final destination, now is the time to exit the aircraft.”
At first, it felt repetitive. But the longer I sat there, the more it struck me as profound leadership.
The flight attendant wasn’t just being redundant, she was being clear.
She wanted to make sure that everyone on that plane was aligned with where it was going. And if you weren’t intending to end up at that destination, she gave you the opportunity to step off.
That’s what great leaders do.
Vision Creates Alignment
Whether you’re leading in business, education, or ministry, one of your most important responsibilities is to continually remind people where you’re going.
Vision isn’t something you announce once at the beginning of the year and then assume everyone remembers. People forget. Distractions creep in. Priorities drift. When leaders stop casting vision, misalignment grows quietly, and often painfully.
Clear vision:
- Unifies decision-making
- Sets expectations
- Creates momentum
- Builds trust
When people know the destination, they can decide how to show up, how to contribute, and how to commit.
Vision Also Creates Freedom
There’s another side to that flight announcement that matters just as much.
By clearly stating the destination, the airline gave people permission to leave if they realized, This isn’t where I want to go.
That’s not failure. That’s honesty.
As leaders, we often fear that clarity will push people away. But ambiguity does far more damage than truth ever will. When you cast vision consistently, you give people the dignity of choice. They can either lean in or step out.
And that’s healthy.
Not Everyone Is Meant for the Whole Journey
Here’s the hard but freeing truth: some people are only meant to be with you for a season.
That’s not an indictment against you.
And it’s not a problem with them.
They may simply want to go somewhere else.
When that happens, it doesn’t mean the mission is wrong or the relationship was wasted. Seasons change. Callings evolve. Destinations differ.
And here’s the part we often forget: there might be someone on standby, watching, ready, hoping for the very seat that just opened up.
Getting the Right People on the Plane
Jim Collins famously said great leaders focus on “getting the right people on the bus.” I’d add this: sometimes you need to make sure you have the right people on the plane, headed to the same destination you’re committed to reaching.
Cast the vision.
Say it often.
Say it clearly.
And trust that the people who are meant to be on the journey with you will stay onboard.
