The Importance of Working with a Visionary Leader

Discussions Include:

• Are training and education enough to turn an "average Joe" into a visionary leader?
• So what does it take to lead others?
• Four basic traits of visionary leaders
• "I.O.U.'s" and "U.O.Me's"
• Visionary leaders invest in their teams
• The importance of passion and vision in leadership
• Key things to practice that can help cultivate leadership skills
• Inspiration: Are you a boss or a leader?

The Hangout:

TOC (Table of Contents for this show): 
00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - Greetings & introduction
03:19 - What's in this show.
04:07 - Are training and education enough to turn an "average Joe" into a visionary leader?
08:58 - So what does it take to lead others?
11:06 - Visionary leaders often have high standards and are models of their own values.
13:15 - "I.O.U's" and "U.O.Me's"
18:46 - 4 basic traits of a visionary leader.
20:51 - Visionary leaders invests in their teams.
22:45 - The importance of passion and vision in leadership.
25:36 - Key things to practice that can help cultivate leadership skills.
26:32 - Inspiration: Are you a boss or are you a leader? 
28:01 - Scott on "coaching up" and Steven Covey's "7 Habits of Successful People."
31:05 - When to watch CCC and let's get connected!

The Conversation:

ZEF: So here's something that I often hear - can "anyone" turn an "Average Joe" into a leader with proper training and education? I guess the more important questions is even with the training and education, can anyone lead others?


Scott, what do you think about that? In your personal experience, do you think an "Average Joe" can become a leader with some education and training?

SCOTT: I'm not sure I'd agree that it is possible to turn an "Average Joe" into a leader with education and training. I am the product of the military training system and some of the most intense leader development programs at the United States Military Academy at West Point on a macro scale, to the very intense learning experience as a graduate of the US Army Ranger School on a micro scale. I would not say there are born leaders, but I would say there certainly are some people who, despite everything and every possible screening tool, can get through the system, but still can't lead others. Reportedly, as one's officer's evaluation report read, "the only reason his soldiers will follow him is simply out of curiosity!"

ZEF: So Len, your background is slightly different from Scott's military background. Scott brought up some great points about how sometimes an "Average Joe" goes through a rigorous education and training system and still "can't lead others." Since you have a coaching background, what is your experience with this? How can we help individuals to lead others? Maybe a stepping stone in getting started; any thoughts?

LEN: I feel that leadership skills can't be fully acquired through an education and training system. Much depends on confidence and relationship building. Knowing your goals and your WHY are two things with which every "Visionary Leader" should start. Many lack clarity of what they want in their lifetime - they just go with the flow, take it as it comes, staying in their comfort zone. Making goals - short-term, mid-term, long-term, and "yeah, right"-term, and knowing why you want them - not just your goals, but overall. Many answer that question with "my family" or "my kids;" they will often have pictures of them around to remind them of their big why. Some are not meant to lead nor want to lead. I feel that the reported unemployment statistics would be much lower if many of the unemployed thought about starting their own business. Many don't want to go that route because they are not confident to lead themselves, let alone others, when needed. Building them up, allowing them to be confident within themselves - not a quick fix, but in due time - I was there myself. 

Quick fixes: Again, make a list of goals; be, do think, and emote positivity; do things that inspire and motivate others; be grateful and appreciative; build great relationships.

ZEF: So Scott, is there someone you know or have been following whom you consider as a visionary leader? Not just a leader, but a "Visionary Leader?"

SCOTT: When I was in command of a Calvary Troop in the early 80's, (no, we were not riding horse back then - it was Jeeps and armored personnel carriers), my Squadron Commander was an unusual officer. In short, he had very high and very demanding standards that he expected of everyone. He modeled these himself, in his actions, and he did not waiver in making corrections whenever he saw a failing. To paraphrase the great quote from Robert Kennedy, "he saw things as they should be and said, 'why not?'"

In my professional life, I have worked 28 years in a variety of roles for New York Life insurance company. The majority of that time period, the company was led by Seymour Steinberg, or Sy, as we all called him. Sy was a visionary leader and his actions have made New York Life one of the most preeminent financial institutions in the world. Sy began his chairmanship by touring the country and having small meetings with local managers and leading agents. He would start these meetings by telling everyone that he didn't have an agenda; he just wanted to hear what people wanted him to know. The result of this exercise, which took over six months to accomplish, was a list of "I.O.U.'s" - things that he promised he would accomplish. He organized a senior team at the home office and over the course of 12 months, implemented each of the promises he had made.

Along with that list of "I.O.U.'s," he also shared a list of "U.O.Me's." This was his list of what kind of performance he expected out of the organization as a result of solving these problems. This was revolutionary in the organization. It galvanized the organization, and great things started happening. In addition to that initial action, Sy, on a regular basis, was a "contrarian." When most insurance companies, such as MetLIFE and Prudential, de-mutualized in the mid-90's and started focusing on selling insurance through the internet or other means, Sy stood against the tide. Sy Stood up against regulators and the rating agencies that expressed their concerns that this wasn't a smart long-term move. NYL remained a mutual company (owned by policyholders, not by stockholders) and focused on training and developing individual representatives to be the face of the company with the public and our primary meands of distribution.

As a result, NYL has had decades of continual growth, and the prospects for continued growth remain strong. One final point, Sy also recognized when it was time to go. He recognized as a visionary, that to leave a legacy, you have to pass the torch. He had a 10 year strategy to identify and develop his potential replacement. It was very well thought out, and assured that when he did retire, the reins of the company were handed over to the most qualified individual, who had already been trained and was ready to step in and take action. In this case, the most qualified person was a young man, aged 42, who took the helm just as the financial crisis of 2008-2009 hit. The financial results and performance of our company since then have been phenomena, in a time when literally hundreds of insurance companies have gone out of business and many major competitors required massive government aid to not fail.

ZEF: So in summary to what you just shared with us, Scott, and what I have learned from your story, a visionary leader often:

• Has high standards and practices those standards in their daily actions. They also expect the same performance from members of their team
• "Stand against the tide" - do and think differently
• Communicate your message and expectations often and clearly with everyone in your team or the people with whom you work
• Have an exit strategy

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Your Hosts:

Meet Zef Here!

W. SCOTT ANDERS
www.WScottAnders.com

"As a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies, W. Scott Anders helps individuals and families achieve financial security and peace of mind. This can be achieved through implementing sound financial plans and keeping current."

LEONARD DIANA
www.lmdWeatlhHealthHappiness.com

"Leonard is from Hartford, CT. He is the owner of An Infinite Abundance of Wealth, Health, & Happiness. Leonard is a certified Law of Attraction Coach & Strategic Action Planner, specializing in consulting with small businesses to attract their perfect clients/customers, partners, vendors, etc. to increase their income. Leonard is also an advanced Reiki practitioner helping people get healthier physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."

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Results:

ZEF'S TIPS FOR CHARACTERISTICS OF VISIONARY LEADERS:

From my personal experience studying and being mentored by some of the best "Visionary Leaders" in business out there, what I have learned is:

• Visionary leaders breathe "passion" in everything they do! - When I mean passion, they do whatever it takes to champion their work and causes they support
• Visionary leaders don't wait for things to happen, but instead, they "make things happen!" - They are the "movers and shakers" who wait for no one and work in the "heart" component into everything that they do.
• They think outside the box and are seldom complacent people.

All of that comes with a big responsibility, but that is what I think separates the average leaders to a "rock star" leader who people love, adore, and idolize.

SCOTT'S TIPS ON HOW TO BECOME A VISIONARY LEADER:


These are some key tips that are from a great book, called The Leadership Challenge, by Kouses and Pozner.

1. You have to model the way for others with clear values and by setting the example.
2. You have to inspire others to a shared vision and enlist others into that visioning process.
3. You have to challenge the process and stand up against the tides of public opinion and fads. Base decisions on facts and not emotions.
4. You have to enable others to act and give people the tools so they can unleash their potential.
5. You need to create a culture that encourages everyone and recognizes contributions and celebrates achievement.

LEN'S TIPS ON ACTIONS OF VISIONARY LEADERS:

• List goals and dreams - personal and business
• Believe in yourself and have a burning desire to achieve
• Feel good now and continue to feel better
• Be, do, feel, and emote positivity
• Be grateful and appreciative

Inspiration:

ZEF: What good is leadership if this is what "visionary leadership" looks like? Where do you recommend we start?

SCOTT: The takeaways I would recommend is for people to master the last four of Covey's 7 habits:

• Think "win-win"
• "Seek first to understand, then be understood"
• "Synergize"
• "Continually sharpen the saw"

ZEF: Len, you're a coach that has been trained in the "Law of Attraction." What do you think? Can this type of leadership be avoided? How?

LEN: Yes. The "Law of Attraction" has a boomerang effect - what you throw out there is what you receive more of. I'm not sure if that is considered a leadership figure, but a boss figure. Yes, this can be avoided because there is nothing to invent - it's about building relationships, positivity, inspiration, and motivation.