What are the qualities and abilities of true visionary leaders? How do you evolve?

2015-06-15T13:34:40-04:00

I recently read this article and it had me thinking. My question is how do we transition ourselves from where we are to where we want to be in a realistic way? What does it take to make oneself a visionary leader? What must you incorporate to be perceived as a visionary leader? Who is your favorite visionary leader and what impact did they have?

The one leader that first came to mind to me was Martin Luther King, Jr. and although he is a visionary leader, he was also an inspirational one. His passion, dedication, drive, and powerful words drove to every person that listened to the power of his vision, his dream. His famous words started a movement, “I have a dream…” to this day those words still inspire and awe. Thought this could be a great discussion piece.

“Visionary leaders are the builders of a new dawn, working with imagination, insight, and boldness. They present a challenge that calls forth the best in people and brings them together around a shared sense of purpose. They work with the power of intentionality and alignment with a higher purpose. Their eyes are on the horizon, not just on the near at hand. They are social innovators and change agents, seeing the big picture and thinking strategically. There is a profound interconnectedness between the leader and the whole, and true visionary leaders serve the good of the whole. They recognize that there is some truth on both sides of most polarized issues in our society today. They search for solutions that transcend the usual adversarial approaches and address the causal level of problems. They find a higher synthesis of the best of both sides of an issue and address the systemic root causes of problems to create real breakthroughs.”

Source: http://www.visionarylead.org/visionary-leadership-article.html

Visionary Leadership Article

Visionary leaders are the builders of a new dawn, working with imagination, insight, and boldness. They present a challenge that calls forth the best in people and brings them together around a...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 15 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-06-15T13:38:27-04:00

For myself, I sometimes look to fictional characters as my visionary leader. Only because it allows me the view from beyond human capabilities. Steve Rogers aka Captain America would be my fictional. Fictional characters are written to be almost flawless.

In the real world, I look at ones like Malcolm X, and Dr. King.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 15 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-06-15T13:43:07-04:00

Visionary leaders know what to change and see the world differently, and how to effect the change.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-06-15T14:04:51-04:00

Visionary leaders do not focus on self; they also can share a vision. They pull rather than push.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-06-15T16:13:11-04:00

Visionary leaders are those people that can objectively see where they (or an organization) are and then envision what the desired future states is. Next and most importantly they can create a plan to get to the future state and convince others that the plan is exactly what is needed. I believe this can be learned

Some one like Thomas Jefferson comes to mind because he was unhappy with the current state and worked with others to create a way to a future state.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-06-17T14:01:51-04:00

I think the most important aspect or quality of a good leader is having a genuine interest in the people he/she is leading, an interest in their overall development. Caring about your subordinates needs to be the first priority.
As a matter of fact, once you start working towards the culture of being genuinely interested in people, willing to work with them unconditionally through their difficult times and situations, you gain their trust and taste your first success with people, always providing a win-win situation for one and all involved.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 8:07 AM

2015-06-18T08:07:38-04:00

This video should be mandatory viewing for all military personnel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA

If you don't have 18 minutes to watch this whole video, skip to around the 15:25 mark.

There, Simon Sinek, speaks about Martin Luther King Jr., and how he was able to mobilize so many people, towards his cause, simply because he shared what he believed....he knew that 250,000+ people wouldn't show up in Washington necessarily FOR him, but rather because they believed what he believed.

Martin Luther King, Jr., in my honest and humble opinion, like you had mentioned, was a truly visionary leader.

"There are leaders, and there are those who lead."

Start with why -- how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound

Never miss a talk! SUBSCRIBE to the TEDx channel: http://bit.ly/1FAg8hB TEDx Puget Sound speaker - Simon Sinek - Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Ac...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 12:11 AM

2015-06-19T00:11:40-04:00

The Visionary of Martial spirit: Frederick the Great
The Visionary of Military Strategy: Carl von Clausewitz
The Visionaries of Naval Power: Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
The Visionaries of the Tactical Battlefield: Erwin Rommel and Eric von Manstein
The Visionary of strength thru persistence George S. Patton.
The Visionary of a Nation of Liberty: Thomas Jefferson.
The Visionary of a real Presidency: George Washington.
The Visionaries of speaking Truth to power Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King and Bayard Rustin.
Because of these Visionaries we have STRENGTH, FREEDOM, LIBERTY and JUSTICE.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 12:13 AM

2015-06-19T00:13:56-04:00

Persistence, dedication to principals, avoided bogging down in politics.