• Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs were visionaries.

• They made major impacts on our world.

• If our youth are visionary, innovative, confident and persistent they can have a positive impact on the changing world.

• Who knows who may be the next Thomas Edison or Steve Jobs?

VISIONARIES:

• are driven by the challenge and excitement that come from pushing the limits.

• are optimistic about the future.

• are consumed with making tomorrow better than today.

• don’t like to follow the norm or status quo.

• have pride in their work, but accomplishing great things motivates them more.

• develop innovative ideas by connecting disparate concepts, thoughts, and theories together.

• don’t give up on a possible solution because, at first, it appears difficult to realize.

• set what are often called “big hairy audacious goals.”

VISIONARY THINKERS:

• are not conventional in their thinking style.

• do intense mental exercises.

• ask, “Why is it done that way?”

• think about alternative ways to do things.

• explore different possibilities for change.

• re-imagine reality.

• think deeply to develop revolutionary solutions to problems characterized by unusual complexity.

VISIONARY RELATIONSHIPS:

• Visionaries are willing to leverage ideas from people who think in similar ways.

• They invite others to share their vision.

• Many visionaries state that their friends and colleagues help make them visionary.

• As time and resources are limited, a person cannot know everything.

• Exchanging ideas with others helps us gain knowledge.

VISIONARY COMMUNICATIONS:

• Communication is key in visionary leadership.

• You cannot do everything by yourself.

• Gaining the support of others is critical to success.

• By showing courage and confidence others will believe in your vision.

• Showing enthusiasm and energy make the vision more appealing to others.

• Concise and simple communication of a vision is important.

• Visionaries tend to communicate more clearly than the average person.

HOW TO HELP:

ICONS: Have them research visionary icons and present the results of their research.

CONTRIBUTE: Discuss the concept that all great businesses contribute to improving the lives of other people.

SOLVE PROBLEMS: Encourage them to look for problems they can likely solve.

VOLUNTEER: Have them experience the joy of helping others.

CHARITY: Encourage them to support a charitable cause in their community.

HUMILITY: Review how humility during periods of success is key to leadership.

People who contribute to the success of others live happy and content lives.

WHAT CAN WE DO?