For years, companies have adapted leadership practices from the military. Authoritarian; rank and file in nature; and with superior officers or lowly privates. There was an absolute trust in authority and in the vision to serve and protect.
In companies, one didn’t question authority because of the risk of losing one’s job. Even if the purpose became less clear when the rally cry was clearly “make your CEO’s and shareholders rich happy”.
A part of me has always defied this culture – inspired by men. As a woman, I found it difficult to adapt. Not only that, but I came from a liberal arts college where we promoted critical thinking – questioning everything.
On the one hand, isn’t that what we want in companies today? We want to hire smart and independent thinkers who ask critical questions. And yet, when it comes down to command and control types of corporations or cults of personality (Zappos), the leaders are not as open and welcoming of folks who want to make sweeping change, or even at times, who might just ruffle a feather or two. The theory there is, if you can’t agree with leadership, then your values are not aligning with the corporate culture, so buh-bye.
This is, thankfully, changing.
So how do we lead as visionaries, inspiring communities at work or outside, when we are reinventing leadership and management every generational cycle?
To me, visionary leadership is adaptive leadership. We might have a framework we choose for how we lead, be it democratic leadership, collaborative leadership, emergent leadership or command and control leadership, to name a few.
And how do we take our styles and adapt to the environment, while also shaping the very culture of leadership we aspire to achieve?
The one biggest nugget of advice I have for every leader is to get at least one (or more) trusted advisor(s) who can hold up the mirror for you, and help you to focus on your strengths while acknowledging your weaknesses. And then, with your advisor, focus on finding your passion at work so you can inspire others to do the same. The more aspirational and big picture your thinking, the bigger the visionary you will become.
We are in a “Passion Economy”. Purpose and passion will be the intentional commerce of the future, where money is only the byproduct.
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