The Quiet Discipline No One Talks About: Protecting Your Vision When Everyone Has Opinions
Last week, I deleted 37 marketing emails, ignored four “revolutionary” business strategy podcasts, and said no to three “can't-miss” opportunities. And it might be the most important leadership work I did all week.
I know that probably sounds backwards, especially in January when everyone's telling us what we must do to succeed this year. But here's what I'm learning: protecting your vision from well-meaning noise might be the most underrated leadership disciplines of our time.
When leaders don’t protect their vision, the cost shows up quickly in scattered strategy, diluted priorities, and constant second-guessing. This happens when too many voices are shaping decisions that were never meant to be made by committee.
Your vision is YOUnique. It amuses me how often people need to debate me on my vision—telling me it’s not possible or that I’m mistaken about what I’m building. What?! This is my vision. I didn’t ask for permission.
Deep breath, Trucks. You are okay.
Have you ever felt this way? What I’m learning is that the more people are rubbed the wrong way by my vision, the better. This means I am on to something because I am making people uncomfortable, and a meaningful vision almost always disrupts the familiar.
One of my favorite examples of this is Henry Ford. His vision was to create a car for every American. This is easy for us to see now because it has come to fruition. However, he had this vision when the horse and buggy were the primary mode of transportation.
Can you imagine the pushback? The "that's impossible" conversations? The well-meaning advisors urged him to stick with what worked.
God-given vision isn’t meant to make sense to everyone else. It's meant to make sense to you and align with how Christ has wired you to steward your gifts, your leadership, and your work in this world.
The Vision Fidelity Process*
When the noise gets loud (and it will), I've learned to filter everything through three simple questions:
Do I feel fire in my soul about my vision?
What makes it so special to me that I’m willing to devote my life's work to accomplishing this?
Does it scare me and stretch me beyond my comfort zone?
If someone's input, strategy, or "opportunity" doesn't align with those answers, it's noise. Not necessarily bad noise, just not my noise.
The fire question matters because passion sustains you through the inevitable obstacles. The devotion question separates what you're called to do from what you think you should do. And the fear question? If your vision doesn't require faith, it might not be big enough.
I've watched too many talented leaders dilute their vision because they were trying to accommodate every piece of advice, every market trend, every "but what about..." concern. They started with clarity and ended up with a watered-down version of everyone else's expectations.
"LB, how do I do this when people I respect are telling me I'm wrong?"
Listen with humility, but hold your vision with conviction. There's a difference between being coachable and being movable. Sometimes, the people closest to you might be the most resistant to your vision because it challenges their comfort zone, too.
A Weekly Vision Realignment Practice
Every Friday afternoon, I spend 15 minutes asking myself two questions:
What did I say yes to this week that took me away from my vision?
What noise did I let in that I need to clear out?
This isn't about being stubborn or rejecting feedback. This is about being a faithful steward of what God has placed in your heart to build.
Your vision was given to you. Not your competitor. Not your well-meaning friend. Not the expert with the loudest voice on social media. YOU.
The world needs what you're building, even if they can't see it yet. Especially if they can't see it yet.
Put down the latest "game-changing" strategy. Step away from the comparison trap. Stop asking permission for the vision that's already been approved by the One who matters most.
Your vision is worth protecting. Guard it like the treasure it is.
If this resonates, or if you’re realizing how much noise has crept into your leadership, I’d love to hear what you’re sorting through.