How Forward-thinking Leaders Lead Their Companies Through Transition

What is Visionary Leadership?
Visionary leaders' essential capability is being able to connect to their own north-star vision and simultaneously being able to engage the larger organization in a change journey to find out what it will take to develop and realize a shared vision.Because all change processes go through an “in-between” or liminal stage, often feeling like a crucible, visionary leaders’ early grasp of what is possible helps create a container for everyone else to contribute and join them in the visioning process. The key is to hold both their own vision as well as accept emerging ideas long enough that a synthesis emerges that is energizing to all.

Allow people to imagine possibilities
Visionary leaders are willing to think about their systems as a whole, including external stakeholders. They think in longer time frames. Their visions come in many forms but are felt deeply enough that they don’t lose sight of them as new ideas come in. They are generally fascinated with other people’s ideas about what is possible, also knowing this is a key to real involvement.

Grow a support team and engage stakeholders
Leaders involve their direct reports and other key allies in dialogue about the vision. They understand that growing relationships are the fabric of any systemic change. In Erik’s case, he asked his entire staff to be involved in listening and even facilitating online breakout sessions during large group meetings with external stakeholders and industry leaders as they envisioned the new College of Professional and Global Education. Having The Grove as an external sounding board and co-designer was critical.

Incorporate design thinking
Visionary leaders know that many versions and revisions of scenarios and plans are needed to work through wicked problems and high levels of uncertainty. In these cases, they use graphic facilitation, Storymapping, and versions of designs to bring people along and align thinking. They use these design sessions to model and encourage improvisation, taking others’ ideas and building on them, and moving steadily toward their north star.

Make specific decisions and commitments
Visionary leaders know that visions need to connect with bottom-line realities to take form. As the operational realities are introduced and add pressure to what may already feel overwhelming, leaders are able to hold these pressure points until real breakthroughs occur, and commemorate them with clear decisions. It happened when the Cal Poly CEU team realized that their several divisions and programs, though very different, represented a “roundabout” of choices in an integrated system.

Shift the culture
As visions begin to take form, the visionary leader stays involved and engaged in the necessary integration phases. Shifting a large system takes patience and tenacity. The bottom line is shifting the culture itself. Visionary leaders model the values they espouse. They walk the talk. They make early wins and progress visible. They nurture new capabilities and people.

In talking with our clients and their leaders, we know many are unsure about how to help their organization deal with so much uncertainty. Some are tempted by the idea that they should have all the answers, but this is a very treacherous way to proceed. But stepping up as visionary leaders of change, holding a sense of potential, and allowing everyone to explore possibilities and collaborate—together finding their way into a future with potential, even if unclear—feels like the approach with promise in these times.