Acquired Skill, Talent, or Gift?

I’m convinced that visionary business leaders and managers who experience success have a combination of all three. I also know that they believe in the mission, are committed to success, and constantly work on professional self-improvement.

There are several characteristics that move you from being a leader with a vision to becoming a visionary leader. As times change and organizations are expected to more with fewer resources, it is imperative that leaders today are willing to embrace change while managing staff, and maintaining or increasing productivity and profits.

Here are my baseline considerations for visionary leaders:

1. Develop a shared vision. The visionary leader is not afraid to communicate the vision of the organization with others. They are also not afraid to communicate to others where they want to go and how they want get there.

2. Lead by example. Visionary leaders will lead others by setting a good example. They lead with confidence, they create an environment built around trust, and they are not afraid to rework a plan if it works better for the unit.

3. Be a change agent. In these challenging and ever-changing times, a visionary leader will identify challenges that may impact the bottom line and take steps to correct the challenge. Being popular or well-liked may always be a result of leadership, but the visionary leader is willing to go against what is popular for the good of the organization and its people.

4. Take risks. The visionary leader is comfortable taking risks. When it comes to moving an organization forward, increasing profits, and enhancing the organizations bottom line, the safest bet is not always the surest bet.

Which type of visionary leader are you?