What Is a Visionary?

A Visionary will jump off a cliff, risking it all to make the vision for their business a reality. While they’re the big picture person who holds the vision for the business, they feel personally responsible for its growth and success. They’re constantly reading the latest books and articles on business, listening to trending podcasts, and connecting with other driven, like-minded entrepreneurs. Despite their ceaseless energy, they’re often frustrated because they never fully realize their vision or don’t realize it fast enough.

The Creator?

The Visionary seems to be constantly creating. Whether it’s new products or services, a Visionary asks, “What else can we do?” or “Who else can we serve?” Their “why” inspires them to continually innovate, iterate, explore, and research new opportunities. They thrive on developing big ideas but struggle with staying on task to fully execute them.

The Guardian?

The Visionary holds the closest connection to the business’s values, purpose, and overall plan. They’re fiercely protective of that connection, striving to ensure that the company stays true to those ideals, doing everything in their power to stay ahead of the competition and relevant in the marketplace, bringing in the right employees, and building a culture that represents them. This intense connection leads the Visionary to operate more on their emotions than logic, a dynamic that energizes and frustrates their people, sometimes leaving their team unclear on priorities and plans.

The Caretaker

With the vision in their hearts, Visionaries help cultivate a culture within the business that resonates with that vision. They care deeply for their people and work to create a company that reflects that. This leads to Visionaries being excellent at building and maintaining relationships, leading to strong bonds between leaders, employees, customers, and even vendors. However, their love for people can keep them from letting go of loyal but unqualified employees or ending vendor or customer relationships that no longer serve the business.

The Innovator?

With a mind suited to thinking outside the box and intimate knowledge of the business, they see the company differently than their team members. No issue is too big or too small for these creative problem solvers. They’re excited to tackle the more minor, day-to-day problems and the more significant strategic issues that arise regarding services, spending, capacity, and future goals. Their penchant for diving and fixing things risks not letting their people fully develop as leaders, ultimately limiting everyone’s growth.

The Champion?

The Visionary’s ultimate responsibility is to champion the business and be its biggest cheerleader and fiercest advocate. They challenge themselves and their teams to do more while staying true to their vision, taking care of their people, and finding new and better ideas and ways to serve their customers. It’s an energizing, chaotic mix of emotions, priorities, and issues, and it’s a responsibility they embrace enthusiastically.

Understanding the unique role of a Visionary is essential to a business’s success. If you have further questions or wish to strengthen yourself and your team, send me a message or contact me through EOS Worldwide.