Visionaries have a kind of crystal ball in their brains.
They can see a future destination in vivid color. And while some details about how to get there may be hazy, the Visionary’s account is more than enough to start the team on its way. Along with providing an initial push, Visionaries can help the team keep its ambition high throughout the journey. They’re a good counterbalance to pragmatists on the team.
If this is your superpower:
Don’t assume the team can see what you see. You may need to sketch it or put it in writing. You may need to explain it a few times. Saying it once doesn’t mean people will fully understand or retain what’s in your head.
You can have a low tolerance for discussions of nitty-gritty tactics. Figure out in advance if you’re truly needed for the conversation. If not, skip it. If so, try to show up with curiosity and patience.
If you’re working with them:
Visionaries aren’t only there to help with the big, bold stuff. They can also be helpful to tap whenever you’re trying to get a handle on something abstract and intangible—even something small.
Just because someone can see a vision doesn’t always mean they’re experts at articulating it. You may need to ask lots of questions in order to tease out what’s in their mind’s eye.