Great leaders always seem to embody two seemingly disparate qualities. They are both highly visionary and highly practical. Their vision enables them to see beyond the immediate. They can envision what’s coming and what must be done. Leaders possess and understanding of how:

• Mission provides purpose – answering the question, Why?
• Vision provides a picture – answering the question, What?
• Strategy provides a plan – answering the question, How?

– John C. Maxwell in the The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership