Leaders each bring strengths, experiences, and mindsets to the responsibility of their various roles. The result is vastly different, yet successful approaches to leading others. Some types of leadership are a perfect fit for specific situations, but others can be counterproductive.
Part of being a leader is understanding how to match one’s skillset with the task at hand. A healthy degree of self-awareness is necessary to achieve results and provide supervision, instruction, and guidance to a team. Beyond addressing the current project and day-to-day work requirements, there’s something more powerful needed to maximize success.
And that’s a vision for the future. Not all leaders can master this competency, but those who excel in this regard have several qualities in common. Let’s look at the hallmarks of visionary leadership and the influence this method of inspiring others can have.
Courageous
Visionary leaders are determined to reach their goals, whether that means taking the company to new heights in the marketplace or improving employee engagement in the workplace. They are willing to challenge the status quo and can’t be pressured into changing their minds. With an eye to converting roadblocks into opportunities for learning and personal growth, they can be challenging adversaries.
Focused
Having a strong focus means being able to concentrate on the work at hand. In a visionary leader, it’s also about staying true to a future objective and setting the steps in place to get there. This requires self-discipline and self-control, putting aside distractions, and working hard to stay the course.
Optimistic
One of the characteristics common to visionary leaders is optimism. Being able to reframe unexpected problems as simply bumps on the road to inevitable success is one way these individuals maintain a positive outlook. This is a reason why this type of leader gets results: nothing brings them down for long.
Open-Minded
A true visionary leader is open and receptive to input and perspectives different from theirs. They know that to achieve the desired outcome, they must remain flexible enough to let in other ideas. Visionary leaders do this by practicing active listening skills, working to understand others, and weighing the significance of all new information.
Charismatic
A certain amount of charisma is obvious with a visionary leader. These people typically exude a calm confidence that attracts others to them. Additionally, they have a knack for making people feel heard and seen as well as an endearing authentic aura. Such magnetism often works to bring out the best in others too.
Collaborative
Visionary leadership is collaborative. These leaders can set their egos since aside. This is exemplified in their drive to bring everyone in under the same tent to work together towards a common goal. Visionary leaders know that more can be accomplished with a team effort. Giving everyone the opportunity to offer their unique strengths and expertise fosters a synergy of ideas that is impossible with a more isolated approach.
Innovative
Another of the traits of a visionary leader is their affinity for innovation. They have an aptitude for thinking of novel schemes to reach the envisioned end state. They have vivid imaginations and are unafraid to change things up. The expression, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” accurately describes their mindset.
Emotionally Intelligent
A strong sense of self awareness is one of the marks of a visionary leader. Coupled with that is the ability to determine how others are feeling. In a nutshell, this is emotional intelligence. Expressing empathy and being self-aware enough to rein in strong feelings when needed is something these individuals have mastered.
Persistent
Persistence in a leadership role is necessary to attain results. Visionary leaders are resilient and remain resolute despite difficulties, whether anticipated or unforeseen. They are motivated to succeed.
Strategic
Strategic planning is another tool that visionary leaders consistently employ to secure a goal. This involves making detailed plans with actionable steps and various strategies to arrive at the future state imagined. Such plans may include tactics to mitigate challenges where they might be anticipated. This is all about big picture thinking and each action to be taken along the way.
Risk Takers
Taking risks comes with the territory in visionary leadership. These leaders are comfortable taking chances and accepting that they may fail in their efforts. They own their decisions and are used to regrouping and carrying on when things may not go exactly according to plan.
Finally
In considering the usual attributes of visionary leaders, we should remember that such people are also enthusiastic, resilient, inspiring, well-organized, and communicative.