Visionaries: Celebrating their strengths

In a business running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) one of the key roles is the visionary.

Visionaries are crucial in driving innovation and setting the strategic direction of a company. The visionary is the person who sees the big picture. They are the dreamers, the innovators, and the ones who constantly generate new ideas.  Visionaries are essential for the growth and success because they provide the creative spark and strategic direction needed to stay ahead of the competition.

However, their unique traits and behaviours are often misunderstood, sometimes jokingly labelled, as some form mental illness, ADHD or some other trait. It happens because they are looking over the horizon, trying to bring new methodologies and opportunities that, on the initial presentation, might seem wildly impossible to achieve or well outside the comfort zone of others.

History is littered with incredible visionaries, held up in high regard that have thought, experimented, changed and then delivered new technologies or ways of doing things – guess what, rarely did they get it right first time. The increasing construct of making crude jokes and dismissive behaviours towards visionaries because they don’t have an eye for detail or constantly thinking about what needs to be done today is wrong. It is leaving value on the table of every business that engages in this type of behaviour. 

Misunderstanding visionary traits

Visionaries often exhibit traits such as high energy, creativity, and a tendency to think outside the box. These characteristics can sometimes be mistaken for symptoms of mental illness or ADHD. For instance, their rapid idea generation and ability to see connections that others might miss can be misinterpreted as distractibility or hyperactivity. 

Labelling visionaries with these types of connotations can be detrimental not only to the individuals but also to the organisation. It can lead to a misunderstanding of their role and a lack of appreciation for their contributions. Instead of focusing on perceived weaknesses, it is important to recognise and celebrate the strengths that visionaries have.

Additionally, it is important to understand that neurodiversity is a natural variation in human cognition. Just as we celebrate diversity in race, gender, and culture, we should also embrace cognitive diversity. Visionaries often have unique ways of thinking that do not conform to traditional norms, but this does not mean they have a disorder. Instead, their different cognitive styles should be seen as valuable assets.

Make no mistake visionaries can be difficult to work with. The constant thinking and listening to new ideas or directions for the business can be exhausting. Yet, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some ways integrators can better engage ad support visionaries.  

Strategies for supporting visionaries

To fully harness the potential of visionaries, integrators should implement strategies that support their unique needs and strengths. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Respect the past and the future – Visionaries have incredible courage to start a business, take risks (sometimes really big ones), do what no one else sees, have a deep well of confidence and perseverance. That needs to be respected, celebrated and tapped into as regularly as possible.
2. Acceptance – Integrators need to accept that visionaries will sometimes be frustrating, may move at a pace that makes integrators feel uncomfortable. Accept that and, collectively, work out what a pathway forward looks like.
3. Open Communication: Create an environment where visionaries feel comfortable sharing their ideas and feedback. Open communication fosters collaboration and ensures that their innovative ideas are heard and considered.
4. Flexibility: Visionaries often work best when they have the flexibility to explore new ideas and approaches. Allowing them the freedom to experiment can lead to breakthrough innovations.
5. Core Focus: Visionaries thrive when they have a clear understanding of the company’s long-term focus. Get them to lean into the core focus on the V/TO, let that be their filter.

Visionaries are not suffering from mental illness or ADHD; they are exceptional individuals who bring invaluable strengths to organisations. Using such terminology is dismissive and disrespectful to those working through such illnesses and disorders. By understanding and appreciating visionaries' unique cognitive styles, we can create an environment where they can thrive and drive towards success. It is time to move away from harmful labels and instead celebrate the creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking that visionaries bring to the table.

Integrators - to learn more about extracting value from your visionaries join the Integrator Academy HERE