Sherrie Suski is Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Tricon American Homes.
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The terms “inspirational leadership” and “visionary leadership” are often used interchangeably, leaving entrepreneurs and other leaders wondering which category they fit into or which label they should aspire to attain. Though there are some similarities between these two leadership styles, there are also vast and notable differences.
What Is A Visionary Leader?
A true visionary is someone who can see beyond the common, the ordinary, and the expectations that surround them into the great possibilities of what could be. They are creative, innovative, and often have colorful personalities. Many entrepreneurs fall into this category. Visionary leaders may sometimes be seen as outlandish or whimsical by others.
The Downsides Of Visionary Leadership
Visionaries are often placed in leadership positions for their ability to connect the dots of innovation. However, their leadership and execution skills are not always aligned with what an organization needs to sustain stable growth. For example, visionary leaders have a tendency to go their own way, making decisions without considering the opinions of others or consequences for their organizations.
Back in 2018 Elon Musk, a visionary leader by all accounts, tweeted that he was thinking of taking Tesla private. That one tweet caused a flurry of chaos for Tesla’s legal and PR departments. Had he considered the implications of his tweet, he may have saved his legal and PR teams countless sleepless nights and headaches. But many times, visionary leaders are so enthralled in their own big ideas that they forget to think about the ramifications of their actions.
Later, Musk appeared on a podcast where he smoked a cannabis-laced cigar, drank whiskey, and talked about illegal drug use with host Joe Rogan. The incident resulted in a drop in Tesla’s stock price because it led some to believe that Musk may be mentally unstable.
Though Tesla and SpaceX continue to be admired, successful ventures, the downsides of visionary leadership that Musk has displayed at times has certainly damaged his companies’ reputation and position.
Visions Don’t Work Without Inspirational Leadership
Your vision is your baby. And like a baby, you can’t expect anyone else to love him/her as much as you do.
Without employee buy-in and a plan of action, your vision is likely to sit on the shelf forever. To see your vision come to fruition, you must inspire your people to be as passionate and excited about your idea as you are, as well as developing a plan for execution. This takes inspirational leadership.
What Is Inspirational Leadership?
Inspirational leaders do more than come up with great ideas or set the strategic direction of a company. They show their teams why change is worth pursuing, and they inspire others to embrace and execute the change. Inspirational leaders drive accomplishment by igniting the passion in others, and they excel at the organizational skills it takes to bring great ideas to life.
“A leader is the one who is genuinely grounded and clear about her vision and values and has the strength and skills to act accordingly,” says thought leader Feyzi Fatehi, the CEO of Corent Technology, Inc. He also said that the CEO title should stand for Chief Energy Officer, as part of the CEO’s job is to exude energy and positivity that gets people on board toward achieving the company’s mission. (I am not affiliated with Feyzi Fatehi in any way.)
Are You An Inspirational Leader?
Visionary leaders are exciting, but it’s inspirational leaders who get things done. If you want to become an inspirational leader, here are five strong first steps to get there.
1. Show genuine interest in your employees. Leaders who just focus on results don’t do nearly as well as those who also pay attention to relationships and employees’ feelings. Remember, your employees are your greatest asset. Make interest in, compassion for, and recognition of your employees a priority.
2. Focus on employee strengths. Expecting your employees to be good at everything is a recipe for mediocrity. Instead, guide your team members into sharply honing the skills they’re naturally good at. They’ll bring more passion into their positions, and you’ll end up with higher productivity and a better product.
3. Show people why their jobs are important. When employees feel that their contribution is unimportant, they lose motivation, which stifles the innovation and passion that brings true value to your company. Be vocal about the significance of every position in your organization.
4. Get off your high horse. Hubris is the downfall of great leaders. You may be a great leader, but you are not infallible. No one is. If you surround yourself with people who always tell you how great you are and never challenge your ideas, you’ll never grow. People in powerful positions need checks and balances to be great leaders.
5. Take action on company culture. Many companies tout their great company culture without actually backing it up. A positive company culture — one where employees have agency to make decisions, feel significant, and are treated fairly — is one hallmark of operating under an inspirational leader.
Leadership Is A Skill That Can Be Learned
Your ability to lead people grows throughout your life. If you’re not yet an inspirational leader, you can get there. Education, practice, and humility will go a long way toward attaining the “inspirational leader” label you’ll be proud to wear.
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