Are You A Visionary Leader?

In 1997, Venus Williams emerged as an inspiring and remarkable talent in the world of tennis, capturing everyone’s attention by reaching the finals of her first U.S. Open as an unseeded player. It was a moment that filled fans and fellow athletes with awe. Yet, her father and coach, Richard Williams, made a bold statement that raised eyebrows back then: “Hey, my younger daughter is even better.” Many couldn’t help but feel a mix of surprise and skepticism. How could anyone surpass the incredible achievements of Venus, who had just stunned the world with her performance?

However, Richard’s unwavering belief in his daughters, though it may have seemed outlandish at the time, was a testament to his deep commitment to their potential. His vision proved true, as Serena Williams would go on to not only match but redefine greatness in tennis. Today, Serena is celebrated by many as one of the greatest athletes of all time, transcending gender and sport with her extraordinary achievements. It’s a journey that began with a father’s dream and a stunning display of talent that continues to inspire us all.

The journey of the Williams sisters is nothing short of extraordinary. Serena captured 23 Grand Slam singles titles, and Venus won 7. Their fierce rivalry led them to face each other in the finals nine times, a testament to their incredible talent and determination. Together, they’ve not only won 17 doubles titles in just 33 major appearances but have also secured three gold medals in Olympic doubles. It’s clear that Richard had an unwavering belief in his daughters, and his vision for their future was remarkably insightful. It’s truly awe-inspiring to consider how some individuals possess a unique foresight, to recognize potential in ways that others cannot. It leaves me in amazement to consider how Richard knew, even back when Venus and Serena were young girls playing on those cracked courts in Compton—amidst the sounds of gunfire—that they would evolve into two of the greatest players in tennis history. Their story is a profound reminder of perseverance and the power of belief.

What’s their secret?

Visionary leaders and innovative thinkers are often driven by a deep sense of intuition; they understand things on a profound level that can be hard to articulate. They have a unique ability to imagine futures that aren’t yet realized and work tirelessly to turn those dreams into tangible realities. While many around them may simply react to what is currently happening, visionaries look beyond the present, seeing possibilities where others might not. Most importantly, they carry their visions in their hearts and pursue them with unwavering commitment, believing in their potential to make a difference. As the late Dr. Myles Munroe beautifully expressed, the greatest gift from God is not merely the ability to see but the ability to envision what could be. Sight is something we do with our eyes, but vision comes from the heart.

Are you a visionary leader? Here are seven signs you might be.

Visionary Leaders Are Imaginative

Visionary people can foresee things easily. For example, I read an article about Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, a man who envisioned Singapore’s island city to become a metropolitan first-world city. From 1959 to 1990, Lee Kuan Yew remained in charge of Singapore for an uninterrupted 56 years; many years later, Singapore became precisely what Lee Kuan Yew saw it to be. One of the wealthiest and most expensive cities in the world, and it all happened in one generation!

It is awe-inspiring since Singapore was a third-world country in the 1960s. According to Kamran Akbarzadeh, founder of Dream Achievers Academy, visionaries can imagine future possibilities in their minds and then explain what they have imagined clearly. They believe things that others cannot imagine. They can draw future possibilities for their organization and country through their imagination.

They Are Big-Picture Oriented

When Steve Jobs returned to lead the company he co-founded in 1997, he negotiated a crucial partnership with Microsoft, which included a $150 million investment to support a struggling Apple at the time. However, the most significant aspect of this partnership was Jobs ability to see the bigger picture. During his Macworld presentation in 1997, the eager audience awaited his arrival on stage, looking to him as the figure who would save the company and whose vision had helped create an iconic brand.

In a 12-minute speech, Jobs changed the course of his company forever. He stated:

“To make Apple healthy and prosperous again, we have to let go of a few things. We must abandon the notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose. We need to embrace the idea that for Apple to succeed, we must do an excellent job ourselves. If others want to help us, that’s great because we need all the help we can get. The era of viewing this as a competition between Apple and Microsoft is over.”

Jobs’s ability to see the big picture enabled Apple to become the powerhouse it is today, solidifying its position as one of the world’s most influential companies.

They Share and Communicate The Dream/Vision

One of the key characteristics of visionaries is their willingness to share their vision with the world. According to Dr. Luis Calingo, Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified this when he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, articulating his vision for an end to racism in America. By sharing his dream, Martin Luther King Jr. empowered his fellow Americans to engage in a national dialogue about how to achieve that vision. Visionary leaders recognize that they cannot keep their dreams to themselves; they need the support and collaboration of others to make their dreams a reality.

They Turn Vision Into Reality

According to Dave Lavinsky, when a vision is accompanied by action, it can become a reality. A crucial aspect of effective leadership is the formation of a strong team. No single skill set is adequate for achieving business success. A visionary leader identifies talent and recruits individuals whose skills contribute to the growth of the business. For instance, hiring Sheryl Sandberg was one of the smartest decisions made by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Richard Feloni notes that Sandberg joined Facebook in March 2008, at a time when the company was ready to scale and needed the insights she had gained from her previous role as head of Google’s advertising arm and as chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. By the end of 2008, Facebook had 450 employees and generated $272 million in revenue, though it also recorded a loss of $56 million. By 2016, Facebook had grown to over 17,000 employees and generated $27.6 billion in revenue, with a net income of $10.2 billion. Zuckerberg had the vision to hire someone who complemented his weaknesses, allowing Facebook to experience explosive growth and become the world’s largest social media company.

They Are Never Afraid Of Failure

True visionaries are individuals who can see possibilities that others often overlook. They understand that challenges will arise on their journey and that temporary setbacks may occur. However, they also recognize the immense value in pursuing their vision. As a result, true visionaries never give up and instinctively understand that failures are simply part of the process.

J.K. Rowling pointed out that failure is often viewed negatively in our society. We encounter countless best-selling books focused on success, yet very few discuss the importance of failure. You might be wondering, “Why would I ever want to fail, or learn how to fail?” The reality is that failure is a vital aspect of life, and we have largely lost sight of its purpose.

They Are Positive Energizers

One characteristic of true visionaries is their positive attitude, as noted by Kamran Akbarzadeh, founder of Dream Achievers Academy. Because visionaries are deeply passionate about and connected to their vision, they often exude high levels of positive energy. This positivity can uplift those around them, fostering an environment where people feel energized and motivated. True visionaries tend to attract positive individuals who are eager to collaborate and help achieve a common vision.

Visionary Leaders Balance Vision With Action

They possess a remarkable confidence that allows them to disregard public opinion, focusing instead on their goals and the development of others around them. Their dedication is evident in their willingness to invest time and effort, often going above and beyond what is expected, to bring their vision to fruition. They understand that true leadership involves nurturing the potential in others, and they strive to create an environment where collaboration and growth can thrive. This relentless pursuit of their aspirations is fueled by a deep commitment to making a positive impact, not just for themselves but for those they inspire along the way.

Richard Williams can lay claim to a remarkable and unprecedented legacy. But remember his backstory. According to Allen St. John, as a former sharecropper, Richard Williams saw a tennis match on TV and was shocked at the size of the cheque being handed to the winner. So, as a middle-aged black man, he decided to teach himself this remarkably complex game. He wrote a 78-page plan, scrounged a shopping cart full of balls, and showed his two youngest daughters the game. Richard came from the most unlikely and challenging circumstances to coach his two daughters, who not only dominated but reinvented the game of tennis.

About The Author

Gifford Thomas is the founder of Leadership First and understands the challenges that many leaders face. Gifford is deeply committed to sharing the best inspirational quotes and articles to encourage and uplift every leader by providing a daily dose of inspiration to support you through your leadership journey.