The time-tested advice, combined with an approachable and engaging narrative style, makes this book critical for success.
If you need to lose weight, it makes sense to find out what worked for somebody who has successfully dropped several inches from their waistline. If you want to improve your driving distance, you might spend time studying a pro golfer’s powerful swing. And if you want to inspire others while propelling your business, brand, or personal success, look to the best examples of history’s most successful visionaries. In his book, The Visionary Leader, Bryan Smeltzer draws lessons from creative geniuses, bold entrepreneurs, and spiritual figureheads throughout the ages. Effective, inspiring leaders including Steve Jobs and Satya Nadella are often considered illustrative of modern leadership, but visionary leadership extends far beyond the tech sector. Since the book’s legendary figures span centuries, their accomplishments and approaches are evaluated against the climate of their era, providing a time-adjusted lens through which their influence can inspire innovative solutions to the complex challenges we face today. This interesting exploration fleshes out many iconic leadership legacies while highlighting imitable qualities that can be found across these visionaries. These powerful traits have been broken down into 16 principles applicable in nearly any setting. The value of these principles, dubbed the DNA of visionary leadership, is proven through the men and women studied in each chapter.
What can readers expect to take away from this lively guide? An exemplary framework emerges, one that makes intentional leadership an opportunity to inspire and achieve meaningfully envisioned change. Smeltzer takes audiences on a thoughtfully plotted journey charged with positive energy, honest evaluations, and clever insights as to what forward-thinking leadership looks like in practice. Whether Socrates’ search for meaning or John Rockefeller’s business acumen and philanthropic pursuits, commonalities emerge to form a foundation for successful leadership. The ability to learn from failure, the drive to innovate and pivot as needed, and the value of bold risk-taking are among the core ideas examined in this motivational book. Elements are considered through relevant historical information and timelines, business mistakes and triumphs, and personal challenges and opportunities. The time-tested advice, combined with an approachable and engaging narrative style, makes this book critical for success and enjoyable to read. History can be an amazing teacher, so learn from the world’s most innovative, influential, transformative, and dedicated leaders in The Visionary Leader.
