Let’s consider Mo Ibrahim, a leader with extraordinary vision, who Anthony had a conversation with several years ago

After a stellar career in O2, Mo Ibrahim developed a very successful mobile phone consultancy. This enterprise made him a multimillionaire but it wasn’t until he sold that business that Mo put himself behind his real dream. And that dream is to end poverty in Africa.

Clearly Mo Ibrahim is a man who has a powerful cause. He makes us want to cheer! However, what we can also see from his story are two key aspects of having a big dream.

Dreams fuel our ambition and create purpose…

First, it doesn’t matter if your dream is completely unrealistic. Do we think Mo Ibrahim will ever end poverty in Africa? No. But will working to make his dream a reality have an impact and make a difference? Absolutely. What is clear is that you need a big dream to tackle big issues and in Mo’s case this is a cause absolutely worth serving.

Second, it is evident that Mo Ibrahim’s dream is completely aligned with who he is as a human being. His values are all about justice, fairness and innovation. His belief about Africans is that they are ‘heroic entrepreneurs’. He is a man who is full of imagination.

Dreaming is also about action…

Furthermore, he isn’t just dreaming about the future, he’s doing something about it. If you want to make your dream a reality then you will need to bring your full commitment.

Mo Ibrahim showed exactly such a level of purpose. His drive and determination has made a difference to the everyday lives of thousands of people across Africa. His purpose shows up in the £100m foundation he has set up to encourage others who share his ambition. And his £5m annual prize for the most ethical leader in Africa demonstrates the highest level of commitment to deliver change.