What does it mean to be a visionary leader? And what does it take to become one? We tend to recognize people who exhibit leadership qualities as those who are ‘out in front’ — the individuals who make decisions and declare directions that others follow.
Visionary leadership, however, involves something more than being the person whom others follow. A visionary is a person who develops and defines a clear picture of the envisioned future. And a visionary leader is one who applies that thinking in a manner that engages and motivates others.
In summary, a visionary leader is a person who develops a clearly defined picture of what can be (not just what is), and who communicates that vision to others who accept it, apply it and then follow the path toward it.
The skills necessary for visionary leadership, therefore, are considerable. In addition to a commanding and confident presence, a visionary leader must be able to:
– Examine current conditions and determine how they can change.
– Establish and articulate a clear direction for creating a better future.
– Educate and impart the vision to others.
– Motivate others about the power and impact of that vision.
– Teach and coach others to follow the leader toward the vision together.
Articulation, education, motivation, teaching, coaching…this is a demanding list of aptitudes for anyone to develop and apply.
The good news is that visionary leadership is also a path you can pursue with great ease. Why? Because people respond first and foremost to the leader’s commitment to a vision. This means that, even if you are a new or emerging leader, your focus on a compelling vision will enable others to follow you even as you develop your leadership skills more fully.
One way to understand this is to examine the example of Jesus. Here is what Jesus knew about developing visionary leadership, and how you can apply it:
1. Visionary leadership begins with the vision.
Jesus had a vision even when he was a young boy, and he carried this vision throughout his adolescence and into his adult ministry. Whether he was in the temple as a child, in the wilderness as a young adult or on the Sea of Galilee as an adult, he always knew and communicated his commitment to a clear vision.
2. Don’t worry if your followers don’t always follow.
If God’s definition of ‘perfection’ was what we humans often think perfection to be, then Jesus’ ministry would have been seen at times as less-than-stellar. After all, Jesus had disciples who questioned him; critics who mocked him; friends who became fearful; and followers who became easily confused despite his enduring presence.
And yet, he didn’t worry about this because he recognized that doubt, confusion and fear are all natural occurrences on the journey to a visionary future. Put another way, these ‘imperfections’ were actually logical and necessary steps that he guided his followers through, even when they hesitated and wavered.
3. Visionary leadership requires sacrifice.
Prophets – i.e. people who confidently and enthusiastically predict a future different from that which we expect – have always been social outcasts. If a prophet can be a social outcast, the visionary leader who implements a prophetic vision can quickly become a threat to the status quo.
Don’t underestimate how invested people become in the status quo. Nearly everyone you lead will have a natural preference for that which makes him or her comfortable. This means confusion, controversy and, in some cases, betrayal. Jesus dealt with all of these, and made the ultimate sacrifice. But he knew that this was a necessary step toward fulfilling his vision.
Keeping these three points in mind will help you develop the right approach, and shape the right aptitudes, to become a truly visionary leader of others.