Visionary Leadership Habits

​“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” - Charles Swindoll

     I totally agree that being proactive is one of the most important habits of visionary leaders. Visionary leaders know that they can't always control what happens, but they CAN control how they react to what happens. Through their thoughts, words and actions, they can improve any situation.  When a person adopts proactivity, they become empowered. They are no longer passive receivers to life's circumstances - they can't always stop bad things from happening, but they know, even through the most challenging of times, that they have the power to say and/or do something to improve the situation, even if by one small step at a time. This, of course, increases their chance of affecting someone who may be impacted by their actions so visionary leaders do not act impulsively, nor do they carry out an act that will impact others without first reflecting, investigating and thinking creatively - and when possible, getting the input and buy-in from stakeholders. 
 
     I have been putting this information into practice for over 20 years, ever since I came across similar information through the writings of Chopra, Tolle, Dass and others. My experience is that it is indeed a self-perpetuating cycle because as a proactive individual, I have seen my sphere of influence grow, which has opened up many doors for me, while my siblings who do not have this habit, seem to consistently live in an emotionally and materially poor state. Their self-pity, victimhood and lack of personal action keep them in the same cycle of misery year after year.  Seeing how hard it is to build this habit later in life, I believe children need to be taught proactivity so that it's a entrenched habit by the time they are adults, especially since it can make or break their dreams.

     Although I have been nurturing this habit for 20 years, there is always room for improvement. One behavioral change I can work on is giving things more time before making a decision on what to say or do. I'm learning that sometimes the most proactive thing I can do is sit back and wait and see how things play out before saying or doing anything.  I tend to attack new challenges or opportunities immediately, and I forget to wait to look at it from the perspective of the next morning or from the perspective of stakeholders who may be affected.  I have to learn to have patience and stop mulling over the problem or challenge incessantly until I land on the "best" action to take. The best path of action is not always clear right away. So, barring emergencies, in some situations, giving it time is the best thing I can do to improve the situation. During that pause, I can gather more information, data, analyze, get counsel from mentors, and reach out to stakeholders to get their feedback and ideas. 

     I plan to teach this habit to my 4 children and husband around the dinner table this week.
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