Visionary Leadership at Every Level

According to Leadership Challenge, there are four characteristics most admired in a leader: honesty, competency, inspiration, and having a forward-thinking (a visionary leader) mindset.

Forward-thinking, visionary leaders have a clear idea of where they are headed. They envision a better future and work toward it, rather than merely living with the current status quo. They are futuristic, innovative, and imaginative, see the big picture, work to make a positive impact, and often want to change their world from wherever they are.

“Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them.”

~Robert Jarvik, American scientist, researcher, and entrepreneur

There is a popular misconception that visionary leadership is reserved for those at the top, but visionary leadership happens at all levels within an organization. Organizational titles carry an expectation for visionary leadership such as Mayor, President, Chairperson, Dean, Owner, Principal, Pastor, anyone leading an organization. But it is the leaders in the middle that are responsible for interpreting, communicating, and executing the vision, such as department heads, superintendents, branch managers, division heads, teachers, directors, and more.  And then there are the front-line visionary leaders who lead close to the action, the supervisors, leads, operational leaders, shift leads; those who often are first contact with vendors and customers while thoughtfully building the structure the vision will hang on.  All of these can be visionary leaders; each of them equally important to the overall organizational goals.

Visionary leaders are needed at every level in an organization. The ones who have a fearless drive about something that deeply concerns them, or challenges they need to overcome. Visionary leadership is about change – despite the odds against it.

How would you benefit from being a Visionary Leader?

You will become more inspiring as you set a course for where you are going and who you are taking with you. Vision fuels energy and gives people the drive to get the work done. With a well-defined vision, you may find people who are attracted to the beliefs that power your vision and who will work to align with it. This in turn sparks an intrinsic motivation fueled by a heightened determination to get the vision achieved. By growing ourselves to be a part of a bigger vision, the highly over-rated comfort zone is replaced as we get into the action zone.

Who can help me lay the groundwork for my vision?

Your boss and any of your direct reports. Your board members or people who hold you accountable, especially your subordinates. They want to know which way the right way is to go.

When do I need to be a visionary leader?

Today, Tomorrow, Forever. People will forget the big picture. Remind them often. They want to know that you still believe it too.

“Leading as well as they can wherever they are is what prepares leaders for more and greater responsibility. Becoming a good leader is a lifelong learning process.”

~John Maxwell

Keep growing your leadership!

Jeff