By Karen Abrams, MBA
IT & Startup Business Consultant
The respected publication, Harvard Business Review has declared that “Being forward-looking, envisioning exciting possibilities and enlisting others in a shared view of the future, are the attributes that most distinguishes leaders from non-leaders.”
The publication surveyed tens of thousands of working people around the world, and asked, “What do you look for and admire in a leader (defined as someone whose direction you would willingly follow)?” Then they asked, “What do you look for and admire in a colleague (defined as someone you’d like to have on your team)?” The number one requirement of a leader—honesty—was also the top-ranking attribute of a good colleague, but the second-highest requirement of a leader, that he or she be forward-looking, applied only to the leader role.
But what is this ‘forward-looking’ attribute that is so highly valued in leaders by people all around the world? That ‘forward-looking’ attribute is also known as vision. Vision can be defined as a picture in the leader’s mind that motivates people to action when communicated compellingly, passionately and clearly. Citizens and employees embrace shared visions and shared visions are developed when leaders listen closely to others, identify their hopes, and attend to their needs.