Visionary Leadership: Predicting the Future

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind." - William James

How does a leader cultivate an attitude that will cascade throughout the entire organization to get results? It's a tradition to begin each new calendar or fiscal year by taking stock of our business and thinking about how we want it to grow. Altering the life of the business starts here, and if employees are truly engaged, it sets the tone for the year.

In every industry there are businesses that really stood out in recent years. The ones that weathered the fluctuating economic landscape and pressed on to produce growth were driven by flexible people who were able to adapt as events unfolded. These leaders held themselves personally accountable for managing the changes that impacted their organization. This is the attitude that leads to innovation and profits!

How a business handles change is more important than ever, and will be in the future. Change is pervasive, thanks to the stream of technological advances that will continue to benefit every aspect of our lives. And change comes whether we're ready or not.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it." -Abraham Lincoln

Leaders need to be personally accountable for truly engaging and inspiring employees in moving the company forward. Resist focusing on the economy, because it casts your company as a victim of circumstances and distracts you from the elements that you do have the power to impact. To move your business in the right direction, build an organization that can roll with changes as they come your way.

Successful 21st century businesses, like their employees, thrive by cultivating continuous learning and flexibility so they can do more than just respond to change-they can lead it. Continuous learning is not a once a year event, it's an every day, every week, keep-the-information-flowing-attitude. Leaders who recognize this provide books, magazines, trainings, mentoring and other growth opportunities for their people. They make sure their team is empowered to be on the leading edge of their industry. When employees who want career advancement get a chance to grow, they're motivated to make the most of it. And the company is rewarded with performance results that lead to increased innovation and profit.

"Here's the way to engage your employees in growing the business now: involve them in continuous learning. Most jobs today require it for superior performance. It doesn't make sense to have positions in your company that require continuous learning and not have a budget for it. Management needs to set the attitude from the top." -Bill J. Bonnstetter

The substantial, both-feet-on-on-the-ground components that build success in any business are the competencies of the company's leaders and staff. Skills like flexibility, personal accountability and continuous learning can be cultivated as part of the strategic plan.

"At the center of the universe is a loving heart that continues to beat and that wants the best for every person. Anything we can do to help foster the intellect and spirit and emotional growth of our fellow human beings that is our job. Those of us who have this particular vision must continue against all odds! Life is for service." - Fred Rogers

Success with leading your team members beyond the visible horizon!

Warm regards,


Patrick