The New Key Players: The Visionary Leader
The Connected Generation Podcast: The New Key Players: The Visionary Leader, Episode 61
For part 4 of our 5-part series on the New Key Players, we’re looking at the Visionary Leader. When we say Visionary Leader, we don’t always mean the CEO. However they do have a significant amount of authority and are the one you look to as the north star of the company. They ground the company, constantly check its pulse and provide a road map for the future. They clearly define who we are, what we stand for and what field we play in.
Visionary leaders provide clarity in the midst of chaos, direction within unknown territory and hope during discouraging times.
Excerpt from Mind Your X’s and Y’s:
Visionary Leaders
When it’s time to generate excitement, you need visionary leaders: not paper figureheads pushing nothing but carnival smoke and mirrors, but talented, driven motivators who can visualize the finish line in the distance and how to get there. These strong people will attract funding, launch challenging projects and inspire everyone to give their very best.
Visionary leaders are most effective when they know what’s on the table. They have a clear sense of where the brand should go and what it means to succeed. These compelling professionals will clearly and effectively communicate the vision and stand firm, even in the face of criticism or tricky obstacles.
Visionaries can be animated or reserved, but they are magnetic and tend to naturally convince people to buy into their dreams and their ability to execute. Projects may come and go, but everyone follows as these charismatic people navigate the twists and turns. Visionary leaders simply ooze confidence and move forward with an unshakeable belief that “this will work.”
The core competencies of visionary leaders include:
• leading
• supporting
• encouraging
• continuing
• believing
• motivating
• provoking
• inspiring
As children, visionary leaders were:
• The popular leaders of the pack who attracted a following and commanded the whole group.
• Exciting influencers whose absence was sharply apparent if they moved, missed a day of school or left the group.
• Big thinkers with good (but not the most original) ideas, who loved to manage other people as they sold the chocolates, ran the lemonade stand or built the snow fort.
• Social boosters who made other kids feel good, smart, fun and better than they normally would feel about themselves.
• Quietly compelling or loud and outrageous. Either way, people listened and followed their lead.
• Stand-out personalities who attracted attention (and project funding) from parents and teachers alike.
• Known for their poise and polished social skills, and often called the “ones to watch” who might become CEOs, celebrities, and politicians.
Visionary leaders three-question toolkit:
• How and why will this work?
• Who needs to know about it?
• Why is this the best way to proceed?
This post was written by Lisa Johnson
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