What it takes to be a ‘visionary leader’ (and why most of us are looking in the wrong place)

We are all visionaries (if we do THIS…)

I’ve been reflecting on a question a friend posed on Facebook this week. He’d asked,

What would you say are the parts of society where visionary and inspirational leadership is most lacking but is most vital?

People responded with the obvious: the much-maligned government and public bodies came in for some criticism, large organisations, those seemingly tanker-like structures that take an age to turn around.

And yet…

I was puzzled by his question.

My Definition of ‘Visionary’

It seems to me that having a vision is a function of being human.

And, humans are pretty evenly distributed throughout leadership positions.

Any of us can be a leader, if we feel minded to do so. From my 17 year-old taking charge of his school’s Politics’ Society (despite his preference to be in the shadows rather than the spotlight) to the Chairman of the Bank of England, whom I heard being interviewed on the radio this morning.

Therefore…

…according to the syllogistic logic of Aristotle, it must follow that visionary leaders are evenly distributed amongst the population…