I’d like to offer attribution for this nugget, but origins are uncertain. Some attribute it to Japanese wisdom, while others suggest its roots lie in the philosophies of ancient Greece or Rome. In any case, the message resonates clearly: for leaders, vision without action leads to stagnation, while action without vision fuels chaos.
~ Japanese Proverb
It’s a simple, easy-to-understand concept. Yet how often do we discover that either one of these critical success components is missing?
As simply shown in the Venn diagram below, leading any meaningful initiative needs both vision and action.
Leadership is about getting results. Having a visionary leader is an important step. But action is required to turn dreams into reality.
We’ve witnessed successful business building in the C-Suite. Here are two quick case studies of companies that discovered powerful synergy by combining the skills of a Dreamer and a Doer.
Consider the success stories of Microsoft and GE in the 80s. Both companies offer success stories of a C-Suite Tag Team in the tradition of Batman and Robin or The Lone Ranger and Tonto
Mr. Gates understood the future of computing and the need for Operating Systems for the new Desktop Personal computers. And foresaw the future of desktop computing.
Mr. Ballmer led the execution for the development of Operating Systems for both the IBM PC and Radio Shack's TRS-80 Computers
"Under Welch's leadership, GE increased market value from $12 billion in 1981 to $410 billion when he retired." - Wikipedia
GE's COO: He literally wrote the book on "Execution".
While you don’t need a dynamic duo like those that grew Microsoft and GE, you still need to avoid the traps of daydreaming with little achieved and the nightmare of working without a clear purpose and goals.
Your organization may not have the resources and ability to hire both a visionary, futuristic thinker and a methodical taskmaster. You may need to wear both hats.
If your trying to wear these two hats be aware:
Are you sensing stagnation? Or chaos? Choose your role, grab your hat, and lead accordingly!
Tom Lemanski serves as an executive coach and trusted advisor to successful Chicago area executives who are driven to be more successful. Tom has developed leaders in over 60 different industries of the the past 20 years.
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