Challenges of Being "Wrong" as a Visionary Leader
Visionary leaders vividly understand and have adopted a growth perspective. Their organizations run as a positive error management culture. Failure is embraced and implicitly understood as a step in the path towards success. However, the populace may view errors as shortcomings. They can be, most likely many are, ready to vocalize their displeasure of any failures. Here lies the challenge that the visionary leader encounters.
They are subject to more pressure and critique than a typical organizational leader. They represent an idea of an unseen world that followers want to believe in, and their critics want to disprove. The followers associate much of themselves with the vision. The critics are looking for opportunities to prove that their skepticism was "right" all along. For this reason, the visionary leader will always disappoint harsher in failure.
Consider current events
At the beginning of this month, we learned that Elon Musk-run SpaceX would launch the world's first all-civilian mission to space by the end of the year. No astronauts, three ordinary people, and a billionaire - Jared Isaacman. Successful execution of Inspiration4 will undoubtedly benefit Musk's vision. Failure, however, will halt future missions for SpaceX and the entire space tourism industry. In the periphery, Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic Co-Founder, has a lot riding on this too. And let us not neglect our four tourists and the already stunningly lackluster interest in space travel.
Is failure a confidence killer?
Even with this enhanced pressure for success, the visionary leader focuses on growth, despite the outcome. Failure is the process, and they take confidence in understanding this concept. It is the scientific method - hypothesizing what works, experimenting, and drawing the conclusion that'll lead you into the future.
Overcoming criticisms
It's simple, stick to the vision. Navigating a new world in the dark is challenging. When you're willing to "live in the space beyond boundaries" (Musk), you will inevitably trip and fall. Get back up, grow and be "a little less wrong tomorrow" (Manson). It's all scientific.