Clay in the Hands

The other day, a friend of mine described a few leaders she has known as ADHD Idea Generators.  You may know the type.  They have a new idea for every staff meeting.  The staff leaves each meeting not knowing if they should complete the steps to carry out the vision of three weeks ago, or move to tackling last weeks big idea – or simply can it all and start on this week’s brain child.  The problem is that many leaders with this approach see themselves as visionary.  But in reality, they are, as my friend described – ADHD Idea Generators.

The difference between an idea generator and a visionary leader is that a visionary leader not only has vision, but also the strategy to see that vision come about.  The visionary leader also must possess the patience to stick with it to see it through.  So a visionary leader is more than an idea person.  A visionary leader sees where the organization needs to be and then puts together a plan to get it there.

Which describes you?  A visionary leader or an ADHD idea generator?