The Vision Code

Noted CEOs, academics, and military personnel share their experience as visionary leaders

The Vision Code explores the concept of "vision" and leadership. The book reveals the secrets of building and executing a strong vision within any organization. Oleg Konovalov—an acclaimed global thought leader—draws together in one volume in-depth interviews with nineteen extraordinary global visionaries that represent a variety of industries and organizations. These leaders explain why a vision is needed, how to implement it, how to communicate a vision effectively, and how to live by it with integrity.

As Konovalov explains, vision is a key leadership skill that can be developed as a practical business tool for leading a company today and into the future. The stories of the nineteen leaders reveal how to develop a compelling vision and follow through with the vision in order to inspire an entire workforce. When a leader taps into the power of "vision," he or she creates a more meaningful business experience and ultimately, a better life. This compelling book:

• Offers a guide for making the concept of vision a reality
• Provides the information needed to develop a clear and persuasive vision
• Contains an accessible guide to a much-needed skill
• Includes interviews with Marshall Goldsmith (#1 Leadership Thinker), Martin Lindstrom (#1 Branding Expert), Garry Ridge (Chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company) and many others

Written for leaders at all levels in organizations and industries of any type The Vision Code is a must-have book for anyone who wants to develop the skill to become a visionary leader.

Foreword by Marshall Goldsmith xiii

Introduction: In search of the Golden Ratio of Vision xvii

Part I Creation 1

1 Making the Unconscious Conscious, or Why Vision Is Important 3

2 What Lies Behind the ‘Aha’ Moment 23

3 Fighting Anti-Visionary Me 43

Part II Making Vision Strong 63

4 The Six Criteria of a Strong Vision 65

5 Communication: The Seventh Element of a Compelling Vision 83

Part III Execution 97

6 Aligning Execution with Vision 99

7 Quality and Metrics of Vision Management 115

8 Growth: From Uncertainty to Uncertainty 121

9 Decisions, Decisions, Decisions 129

10 Vision as a Business Tool 139

Part IV Visionary You 155

11 Fifteen Commandments of Visionaries 157

12 I Believe That. . . 165

Acknowledgements 171

References 173

Index 175

OLEG KONOVALOV is a business educator, consultant to Fortune 500 companies and a C-suite coach, and has been recognized as one of the top global thinkers in leadership, vision, and culture. He is a visiting lecturer at several business schools, a Forbes contributor, and an in-demand speaker at major conferences around the world.

Countless organizations struggle under leaders who seem to lack any sort of meaningful direction. Instead, they meander from one point to another, their behavior indicating the absence of a coherent strategy.

In The Vision Code: How to Create and Execute a Compelling Vision for Your Business, acclaimed speaker, consultant, and author Oleg Konovalov makes a persuasive case that what is lacking in these cases is vision.

The book compiles the observations of global thought leaders into a single exciting volume that shows readers concrete and practical strategies for leading the companies of today into the future. With a powerful foreword by Marshall Goldsmith, The Vision Code demonstrates how to create a strong and ambitious vision and turn it into a successful reality.

Perfect for new leaders just beginning their journey to the top of the business world, as well as mature leaders trying to get more out of their followers, The Vision Code is also for anyone interested in the practical execution of leadership in any organizational context.

"Vision is essential to successful leadership, but often misunderstood and poorly conceived. In this insightful guide, Oleg Konovalov lays out his own compelling vision for what visionary leadership consists of and where its value lies." –Courtney Fingar, editor-in-chief, FDI, New Statesman Media Group

"The Vision Code presents a rich, multidimensional view of organizational and personal vision that will expand and enhance any leader's perspective." –David B. Peterson, PhD, Senior Director, Executive Coaching & Development, Google LLC

Learn to lead others by engaging them with a compelling vision you live and demonstrate every day

Leadership is not reducible to a mathematical formula or series of catchphrases. Persuasive and motivational leaders learn to tap into a powerful vision that inspires others to be the best versions of themselves. In The Vision Code, speaker, consultant, and author Oleg Konovalov shows you what to do so you can count yourself amongst the most visionary leaders in the business world today.

Drawing on extensive discussions with global visionaries from a variety of industries around the world, the book demonstrates the importance of a coherent vision, how to implement it, how to communicate it effectively and forcefully, and how to live by it with integrity and passion.

From the likes of Marshall Goldsmith, Martin Lindstrom, and John Spence, you'll learn to adopt the habits and practices of some of the best leaders in the world and tap into the best that your followers have to offer.

Ideal for anyone interested in business and organizational leader- ship, The Vision Code is the piece of your leadership puzzle you've been missing.

"As a CEO, I've come to realize from reading The Vision Code that vision is my single most valuable tool. It literally allows you to choose your company's future." —Eric Schurenberg, CEO at Inc. and Fast Company