Thought Leadership and The "Visionary" Label: Keep it to yourself or put it on LinkedIn?

"Thought leadership" isn't about regurgitating buzzwords. It's about original, actionable insights that stand the test of time. This idea takes an interesting twist when tied to the concept of the "visionary." Do the two overlap? Is one more relevant or necessary than the other? Let's dissect these questions through the lens of EOS Worldwide (Entrepreneurial Operating System).

The Paradox of Visionary Leadership

The concept of a visionary leader is often idealized as the Steve Jobs of the world. The reality is, we need to bring the title down a notch. Not every leader has to revolutionize the world or even an industry, their company is just fine! That said, they should have a unique perspective on the future.

When I look at EOS, it's about simplification and focus. We don't have to complicate processes. But here's the irony: while EOS makes the operational aspects simple, it still needs a visionary leader to set the direction.

Visionaries Need Checks and Balances

On the flipside, visionaries aren't infallible gods either.

This is why it's so important to balance visionaries with integrators. You need someone who can translate lofty ideas into actionable strategies.

Back in the day, I ran with the title, "Chief Interrupter" - someone who challenges the norm to move the needle. The title actually came from my client at Coca-Cola, Maarten A. , who would later become my co-author of Z.E.R.O. Maarten was and is the consummate Integrator. I was the prototypical visionary. It's no wonder we worked so well together #rocketfuel

Thought Leadership: The Long Game

This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. Thought leadership requires consistency, originality, and the ability to respond to criticism constructively.

So, what's the takeaway? Perhaps it's that "thought leader" and "visionary" are titles worth striving for, but only when earned and wielded responsibly.

I've never had a problem calling myself a thought leader. A thought leader is essentially a leader in thought, someone who thinks a lot and consistently produces high-quality thoughts. It's about originality, creativity, disruption, and innovation. I proudly wear the title of a thought leader because it implies being out in front, saying things others might be thinking or too afraid to say.

What about "Visionary"? Should you include the word "Visionary" in your title?

Here's an excerpt from our Collective Cafe session this morning. If you'd like to listen to it, please subscribe to the podcast.

Should you keep the title "Visionary" to yourself or proudly display it on your LinkedIn profile? That's the question that crossed my mind, and here's the thing – we're inundated with self-proclaimed ninjas, gurus, and life coaches. Frankly, there's no shortage of folks who adorn themselves with titles they haven't truly earned. They're self-proclaimed and self-anointed, lacking any substantial track record to back up their claims. But what if, even if you haven't fully earned it yet, you aspire to that visionary title? I believe a visionary title is aspirational; it challenges us to become better, bolder, and more significant. It urges us to think in ways that lead us to genuine thought leadership.

There's a fine line here – you don't want to force thought leadership; that's not how it works. But sometimes, we do need to push ourselves to think deeply. We discussed this concept a while back in the Collective Cafe – the idea of "thinking hard." It stems from the book "I Dare You." I absolutely adore the notion of thinking hard, not just scratching the surface or pondering casually. Your head should hurt because you're genuinely working that brain, challenging yourself to innovate, reinvent, and explore uncharted territories, both personally and professionally.

And let's address the "too busy to think" excuse – it's nonsense. We should never be too busy to think; we always have the time. It's about finding your thinking place – whether it's in the shower, during a run, or elsewhere. Once you've found it, gather those thoughts diligently.

So, yes, I encourage people to proudly display "Visionary" on their LinkedIn profiles. It's like throwing down a gauntlet, announcing to the world that you're here, you're making a mark, and you believe the world needs more visionaries. And when I say "us," I include myself because the world can always use more of us – those willing to dream big and push boundaries. Steve Jobs may be gone, but there's Richard Branson, Elon Musk, and perhaps even Jeff Bezos in the visionary club. So, don't shy away from the title; it might just inspire you to live up to it.

To dig deeper into these topics, join me on Joseph Jaffe is not Famous, or check out the Alpha Collective's Discord server at discord.gg/alphacollective for daily insights. For those interested in business processes and leadership coaching through EOS, contact me to discuss a 90-minute meeting to explore possibilities.

Together, let's walk the fine line between being a visionary and a thought leader without tripping over our own egos.

Here's to the visionaries who dare to dream and the thought leaders who make those dreams actionable. Cheers!