Hope Has a Plan: Leading with Vision and Courage
Hope Isn’t Passive. It’s a Direction.
Several weeks into a big transition—personal or professional—the shock has usually worn off.
What’s left is often a question:
Where do I go from here?
At this point, hope stops being just a feeling—and starts becoming a choice.
But only if you give it a plan.
In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown describes hope as a cognitive process—something we learn, not something we’re born with. It’s built on:
Goals — What do I want?
Pathways — How might I get there?
Agency — Do I believe I can take action, even if it’s hard?
That means hope isn’t about pretending everything will be okay.
It’s about building something better—on purpose.
From Uncertainty to Intention
Over the past few years, I’ve learned that clarity doesn’t just arrive.
It’s built—slowly, through small, values-aligned decisions.
When I left federal leadership and began reshaping what I wanted to do next, I didn’t have a roadmap. What I had were a few anchoring questions:
What do I want to rebuild—differently?
What matters most to me now?
What needs to heal before I run ahead?
From that place, a vision started to take shape. Not just for my business—but for how I want to lead, serve, and support others.
Vision is a Leadership Practice
We often think of vision as something lofty or corporate. But the truth is, vision is deeply personal.
It’s the inner compass that gives meaning to our work, especially when the world feels unsteady.
And here’s the truth:
Hope without vision is just waiting.
Vision without action is just dreaming.
But vision + values + small steps? That’s momentum
A Practice: The Hope Action Map
Try this if you’re feeling stuck:
What do I hope for right now? (Make it specific.)
What values do I want to lead with in this next chapter?
**What’s one small, brave step I can take this week that aligns with both?_
You don’t have to see the whole picture to begin.
Just enough to take one clear step.
Coaching Can Help You Hold the Vision
This is the work I do at The AG Effect—helping leaders reconnect with their purpose, design a values-aligned vision, and take meaningful action even when things feel uncertain.
Because real leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes.
It’s about choosing a direction—and walking toward it with courage
If you’re in a season of re-visioning, let’s talk.
You don’t have to build alone.
