Visionary Leadership

On December 29, 1972 Eastern Airlines flight 401 bound from New York to Miami crashed in the Everglades of Florida because of a bulb twelve U.S. dollars. As the plane approached Miami spy for the introduction of the landing gear does not turn on. The plane circled in the Everglades while the crew was trying to figure out the problem. Or the landing gear was not working and had a big problem for the hands or was it a simple case of a defective bulb. When one of the crew members tried to remove the light bulb, he found it was locked and not leaving. Soon everything inside the cabin were so focused on the light bulb that failed to look up and see that they were losing altitude. The plane then slammed into the swamp, killing almost everyone onboard. This is a tragic example of how you can get caught up in little things and lose sight of where we are going.

Many organizations today are over-managed and under-led. In other words, leaders get caught up on the day to day administrative management activities, and forget to look up and trace the course for the future of organizations. The vision of a leader is essential for an organization. The visionary leaders are highly sought after. People want to belong to an organization with a strong sense of direction, whether it's a Fortune 500 company, community group or local church. If a leader is not a visionary, life becomes stagnant, and the organization grinds to a crawl.

As leaders we will never be able to escape our role as managers, but the key is not letting us overtake managerial tasks to the point where we are flooded with the administration. Here are some tips to stay visionary despite a busy schedule.

1. Organize a meeting with you.

Carve some 'time each week to get away from the office and only think about the future of your organization and its current direction. It's amazing what can come to mind when they are removed from the situation. Schedule this time into your weekly planner and keep it as sacred as a meeting with Chairman of the Board.

2. Enter the trenches

Stay in touch with workers on the lines of people on the factory floor, the delivery driver, the mailroom staff. These workers often give you a vision of things that would never have thought. Often the best ideas for improving the efficiency derived from them, since they are the ones who carry out many of these daily activities. Set up a coffee break week with a different operator or a monthly "town meeting" with a certain division to get their feedback and ideas.

3. Stimulate your mind around you.

Encourage creative thinking and visionary of all employees, especially direct reports. Solicit their input and advice on your industry and think about where future opportunities lie. Many people never think beyond their roles, because they are not encouraged to. The minds contribute to your future, the better your chances of success.

4. Take care of yourself.

Proper rest and exercise are the key to keeping fit. What does not stay in shape to contribute to the vision? As a visionary when you are lethargic, stressed and overworked? Why are so many great ideas and concepts while people are on vacation? When the body is rested your mind is in a better place for walking along the road to your future.

5. Inspirational Entertainment

Watch movies or read biographies of visionary inspiration, Braveheart, The Hoosiers, Glory, Gladiator, and Gandhi, to name a few. There is something about the stories of other men and women who have made a difference that inspires us to greater heights. Inspiration is the fuel for future dreams.

Remember, as a leader is responsible for maintaining your vision and inspire others. You will always have your share of defective bulbs that need fixing, but never forget to keep your head up and plot the course for the future of your organization .......