Being a Visionary Leader is a Decision
Not all leaders are visionaries. Some end up in the leadership role without a vision of the future. They focus on the day to day operations and what is right in front of them. That is a boss. But the real change makers are visionaries. They envision a world that is better and they see how their product or service impacts that world.
Let’s define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. She contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group. She has the big picture of the future, the passion, the focus of the company.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
You have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
Visionary Leaders See A Clear Sense of Purpose
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don’t follow me, I’m lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you’re headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It’s about who you are, what you know, and what you do. Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
True Leaders are not all — do-it-“yourselfers”
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone. A visionary leader shares their vision of the future, inspires and empowers their staff to get on board and help drive the company to that vision.
When you fail to share your vision, then your staff are working towards an unknown. Perhaps they are even taking your company in the WRONG direction. That comes back to YOU, needing to share your vision.
Visioning is exciting. It is what pulls you into the future. It is was gives you purpose.
The energy that a compelling vision creates is contagious and creates a flow that also drives the company forward. You see visionaries in the news and perhaps think — I cannot do that, but I challenge you to rethink your abilities.
When you look at your core purpose and where you want to take your company, its impact on the world — locally, regionally and perhaps globally, all of those things come together into an inspiring story that you are putting into action and bringing forward into the world! It is exciting.
So, what is your vision? What is your core purpose? What gets you out of bed every day? When you have these pieces put together — your company starts to move…. and it might move very fast!!
