The visionaries who raise the bar in their chosen fields are leadership ‘greats’ walking converging paths marked with persistence and resolve. As they do new things, they win, they fail, they learn, they win again, fail again and continue on their journey resilient to the obstacles they may pass along the way.

These visionaries open new doors to walk the virgin fertile trails, swatting branches aside and forging paths, swerving in various directions as they lead the way. Change leaders take their path with an insatiable curiosity for what’s next, asking at each crossroad: “Are we raising the bar?”

The question ‘Are we raising the bar?’ seen through the lens of curiosity earns leaders a higher standard of excellence. By actively and consistently unlocking, expanding and deepening their curiosity, change leaders open new doors to places otherwise left undiscovered time and time again! As each new path is forged and treasures are unearthed, a rigour infuses change leaders to actively raise the bar for that next shiny jewel.

How else are visions realized?

How else do we find the energy, the drive, the sheer determination when faced with naysayers, critics and stumbling blocks?

We have learned that the path comes with a deep-seated belief in a big vision, coupled with walking the convergent paths of curiosity and rigour, regularly checking in and asking: “Are we raising the bar?”

Who sets the bar?

The people who bring curiousity into conversation start the process of setting the bar. The persistence in digging deeper, challenging the status quo and doing so with a sense of urgency, these are people who set the bar in change leadership. These are change leaders.

People who influence change through a persistence to see a vision through, bring change leadership forward in their organisations and relationships; and they inspire others in the process. When I think about a visionary who lived his dreams through a lifetime of inspiring achievement, I think of Walt Disney. Disney said:

”We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Disney reminds us that curiousity is a key attribute for change leaders wanting to pioneer new paths.

What is the ‘bar’ anyway?!

Quite literally and in this metaphorical land of undiscovered country, raising the bar is likened to clearing the path of tangled bushland blocking the view to uncultivated land ripe with resources.

As each new piece of ‘land’ is discovered, change leaders literally and metaphorically climb mountain ranges in the quest for what’s on the other side. In their imaginations, their vision is so clear, the mountain has an imaginary window to the other side. And with each mountain climbed and conquered, another valley and mountain appears for further exploration.

What’s so important about raising the bar?

As each new path is forged and treasures are unearthed, a rigour infuses change leaders to actively raise the bar for that next shiny jewel, despite the difficulty, adversity and barriers along the way.

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” said Walt Disney.

Disney points us to strength and growth that comes with weathering the trials and tribulations in the path to discovery. In the world of new ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit in pursuit of the next challenge brings innovation to the world. With innovation comes progress and growth.

As each new discovery is revealed, we scale mountains, cross bridges and open new trails. Raising the bar has us climb higher and higher mountains, creatively taking us to visions closer and closer to the horizon, higher standards of excellence. opportunities for collaboration and with more to discover at each milestone in the journey.

Why raise the bar?
How are you raising the bar?
What’s your bar?

• Change
• Curiosity
• Leadership

by Lucy Shenouda