Today I talked with 5 different ministries in pursuit of clarity. At one point, Tim with the E4 Project, started sharing the benefit of the process as we were refining their Vision Frame. I love the image he used:

"It's giving me a mental base camp as a leader"

Bam! That's it. Another brilliant picture of the power of clarity.

What is a "base camp?"

A center of operations, organization, or supply

A camp from which expeditions or other activities set out or from which they can be carried out.

A main encampment providing supplies, shelter, and communications for persons engaged in wide-ranging activities, as exploring, reconnaissance, hunting, or mountain climbing.

These definitions highlight three different aspects  the power of clarity. The Vision Frame is like a mental base camp because:

1. It creates a center of operations of how we think.
2. It defines the place from which every idea, conversation, decision and action initiates.  Everything sets out from a prior understanding of our "base" identity and baseline mission.
3. It supplies, protects and communicates essentials so that people can be involved in a very broad range of activities and pursuits.

In the end, where there is no base camp there is no common gathering point and no great summit experience.Do you have a mental base camp as a leader?