Visionary Leadership
Visionary leadership is about setting long-term vision, creating a strategic plan to achieve that vision, and empowers others to collaborate towards that shared goal.
Understanding the visionary leadership
You don’t have to be a CEO to be a visionary leader, this management style can exist in all levels of leadership. The point is being able to see and communicate a vision of the future so your team can make it real. This leadership style is also known as transformational leadership, where the leader literally transforms a team or an organization to match their vision.
A visionary leader understands the big picture and sets a long-term path for their team or company to get there. While it seems like a simple concept, many leaders actually fail their businesses or teams because of a lack of vision.
What makes visionary leadership different from other styles?
Here are some of the qualities all visionary leaders share:
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Forward Thinkers: They plan for the future.
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Great Communicators: They share their ideas well.
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Empowering: They trust their team.
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Innovative: They like to try new things.
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Flexible: They can handle change.
What challenges does it have and how can you beat them?
Like everything in life, there is always a side B. These are some problems you may encounter:
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Resistance: Many people resist or are scared of change,which makes your tasks harder as a leader. If this happens, try to communicate the benefits of the proposed changes clearly and involve their team in the decision-making process. When people feel involved, they can think they have “control” which makes them open to experience changes.
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Balancing Goals: Visionary leaders often have ambitious long-term goals, but they also need to take care of the immediate needs and challenges. Try to prioritize tasks, setting achievable small goals, and regularly reviewing and adjusting plans as needed.
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Execution Challenges: To make a vision real you need good planning, resource allocation, and execution. It’s important to break down big goals into smaller ones, delegating tasks properly, and providing support and resources to their team.
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Alignment: As organizations grow and change, it will be difficult to keep everyone aligned with the vision and goals. As a leader try to always communicate the vision, reinforcing the organization's values and purpose. In every meeting or talk, bring up the topic so it sticks on everyone’s heads.
Real Life Examples
There are many success stories, and this type of leadership means that, thanks to them, it does not go unnoticed.
Steve Jobschanged things by making amazing gadgets like the iPhone that made it easier for people to talk, work, and find information. Elon Musk made electric cars like Tesla, making sustainable transportation more accessible and desirable. In the 1970s, designer Diane von
Furstenberg brought to women's fashion her wrap dress. She wanted to help busy women look great fast, and she did it. Even though Steve, Elon, and Diane work in different areas, they share an entrepreneurial spirit and are great leaders.
Conclusion
Think outside of the box, be innovative and don't let fear take control over you. Big ideas can come true, the change is in how you approach those ideas. Visionary leaders like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Diane von Furstenberg have left lasting impacts on their industries and society as a whole. Why not be one of them?