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Possesses clarity of direction

Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. John

Maxwell.

The first task of a leader is to help define reality. Max DePree.

An effective leader needs to gain the kind of perspective on the future that
leads to an anticipation of change and a planning for what is expected to
come. Their clear image of the future then pulls them forward. An
organization can drift aimlessly if it doesn’t have a purpose that excites its
members. No one wants to follow someone who’s lost. The leaders not
only must have clarity of direction, but also must communicate it in such a

way that fosters buy-in from every level of the organization. This sense of
direction needs to help others to achieve an expanded awareness of what
the future might bring and the need to prepare for it.

Leaders are bridges that connect people to the future.
112

The competency this requires is the ability to study and learn from key
trends that are occurring and how they might impact the community, its
organizations, and people’s career options. A leader needs to spend more
of each day thinking about tomorrow if the future is going to be an
improvement over the present. This requires an individual to be an

ongoing learner who studies the news, relevant articles and books, and the
media for signs of changes that aren’t generally recognized. From all of
this, the leader sets out his or her intentions and desired outcomes. It is all
about what having a clear idea of where the organization should be headed
based on more than ego or emotions.

Chapter 9 of this book will expand on the concept of a “visionary leader.”

Has the ability to inspire others to high performance

Doesn’t every leader want to know how to energize people to go the extra
mile? However, we know that this motivation comes from within the

112 Caela Farren and Beverly L. Kaye, “New Skills for New Leadership Roles.” Frances Hesselbein,
et.al.editors. The Leader of the Future. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996. p.186.

David Kolzow 99