Visionaries are leaders, whether we want to accept the responsibility or not.

In the hundreds of planning sessions we’ve performed with visionary entrepreneurs … A common thread is the struggle to lead well and the impact that struggle has on the business.

Before diving into the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Visionaries … It’s important to understand the difference between a leader and a manager.

While both roles are important and frequently used synonymously, there are key distinctions between the two.

A manager’s primary focus is on actively monitoring and enforcing the systems and structures in place to ensure that they are having the desired impact and that everyone on the team is held accountable for their specific responsibilities.

Leaders, on the other hand, drive results through their invaluable ability to influence others and to present their vision with such clarity and exuberance that it inspires those in their presence to take decisive action.

Arguably one of the most crucial concepts taught by Tony Robbins is this:

“If you want to influence others, you must already know what influences them.”

A leader sets themselves apart by investing their time into connecting with those around them in order to learn who they are.

They understand that motivation is unique to each of us individually, and therefore they do not assume that what drives them to action will be the same for everyone.

Now that we have a clear distinction between the roles of a manager and a leader, let’s dive deeper into the 7 habits that elevate us from entrepreneurs to highly effective visionaries:

1. They Set Clear Goals.

Visionaries are known for their ability to dream big and envision a future that is not yet within reach.But the real magic happens when they take those big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs) and bring them to life through a strategic framework that turns their vision into reality.

2. They Practice Delayed Gratification.

In the book Atomic Habits, James Clear argues that the most successful people are those who are able to delay immediate gratification in order to achieve long-term goals.Unlike good habits, bad habits often provide instant gratification while the consequences are often delayed.Sure, skipping our morning gym session grants us an extra hour of sleep, and indulging in junk food often triggers a rush of endorphins … But do those things help us show up as the best version of ourselves for our teams and others who rely on us?On the flip side, while good habits may not always provide immediate satisfaction or feel enjoyable in the moment, they offer the highest rewards and yield desired results in the long run.

The most successful visionaries do not allow themselves to be enticed by the allure of instant gratification.

Instead, they prioritize developing strong habits by structuring their daily actions with purpose.

3. They Think Outside the Box.

Sure, they may enjoy the occasional box seat at a game, but when it comes to their creative pursuits, they refuse to be confined by conventional thinking or limited expectations.

“Neurons that fire together, wire together.”

In other words, By carving out just a little time each day to brainstorm and let our imaginations run wild, we’re strengthening the neural connections that allow us to harness our creativity and keep our ideas free-flowing.

4. They Learn from Failure.

Visionaries don’t allow their fear of failure to hold them back from taking action, because they know that success is buried on the other side of failure.Thomas Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

This is not to say that highly effective leaders take unnecessary risks, but rather they recognize that each “failure” is a lesson that brings them one stepping stone closer to their target.

5. They Build Strong Teams.

Visionaries are known for their inclination towards action and often embrace the “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself” mentality. But as Zig Ziglar says…“You don’t build a business—you build people and then people build the business.”

If you’re up to your eyeballs in tasks and asking ChatGPT how to clone yourself, then it may be time to consider bringing on board a team of like-minded visionaries who share your mission, vision, and values.By filling those empty seats with the right people, we move the needle closer to achieving freedom in our business.

6. They Never Stop Learning.

Highly effective visionaries naturally have many accomplishments and years of accumulated knowledge under their belts, yet they possess the awareness that they do not hold all of the answers. When asked what was the secret that fueled his legendary career, earning him five NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals, Kobe Bryant had this to say: “The secret is to be curious. Always seek out new perspectives. Continuously learn. Think outside the box. When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.”

The mark of a highly effective visionary lies in their unwavering belief that regardless of their many accomplishments there is always another layer to uncover, another angle to explore, and another opportunity to expand their understanding of the world.We unleash the power of our innate curiosity and scale to even greater heights by implementing effective processes in our businesses and building a strong team that gives us the freedom to explore without limitations or time constraints.

7. They Keep Their Eyes On the Prize.

In essence, they have a strong “why.” Each of us has a unique story and our own reasons why we set out to accomplish our goals.As you may already know, the reason why we started Organize to Scale™ is a gut-wrenching one. But whatever your reason happens to be, it’s a strong “why” that keeps us anchored when the road gets tough.By having a strong sense of purpose, we as leaders are able to stay focused, motivated, and resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks.It is this unwavering commitment to our “why” that allows us to develop into strong visionaries who lead through inspiration and influence.

At Organize to Scale™, we use the DISC Personality Assessment along with a Visionary Test to answer the question … how can we help you develop as a strong Visionary Leader?

If you want to know your results, why it is important, what you can do with this critical information, and get a personal review with our Business Growth Coach who is DISC Certified, we’ve got you covered!

You’re invited to schedule a Business Growth Audit including digesting your DISC and Visionary Test results too! Click here to schedule right now >>