Similarities and Differences Among Visionary, Processor, and Operator Leaders

Leadership
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Leadership
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Leadership is the foundation of successful organizations, and hence the reason why CEOs of all organizations are paid top dollar. These individuals are revered for their dedication to their organizations and their quest for success. In 2020, Elon Musk topped the list of the highest-paid CEOs with a whopping $6.66 billion. Others on the list of the highest-paid CEOs in the world included Mike Pykosz, $568 million, Trevor Bezdek, $497 million, and Douglas Hirsch, $497 million (Melin, 2021). These individuals carry the vision of their organizations and seek to influence action with the greater goal being increased profitability. However, it is crucial to understand that these leaders differ in their leadership styles and approaches even though they hold similar positions. Each leader tends to align with the style that befits their motives and agrees with their personality, and regardless of one’s leadership style and approach, they all fit within three broad categories of leadership styles. These leadership categories include visionary leaders, processor leaders, and operator leaders.
Visionary leaders or visionaries are leaders who are moved by the revolutionary steps an organization is making. These leaders are guided and led by their vision and seek to influence the same belief in their vision to their employees (Atthirawong, Bunnoiko, & Panprung, 2021). Also, the leadership style of visionaries entails a lot of freedom to their employees as they seek to drive creativity. Some of the common examples of visionaries in the world today include Elon Musk, Paul Polman, Mark Zuckerberg, Sergey Brin, and Larry Page. These individuals have showcased their dissatisfaction with the current state of the world and have been committed to ensuring that the world continues to grow innovatively.
Processor leaders are a different breed of leaders who are not moved by the next big thing in the market. These leaders focus on the idea of bringing order and making sure that there is organization within a company. Such leaders follow strict guidelines and introduce the same in their organizations. The goal is not fixed entirely on ensuring that the tasks are delivered and profitability is attained but also on ensuring that the systems and processes in place are working seamlessly with each other. As Jannenga (2018) indicates, processor leaders consider leadership “an exercise in efficiency.” In his article, de Vries (2013) adds that processors have the vision of having their organizations run like “well-oiled machines.” An example of a processor would be Warren Buffet and Marne Levine. Both leaders happen to be committed to adopting processes and ensuring efficiency is ensured within an organization.
Lastly, the operator leaders also follow a different approach compared to the rest. Operator leaders are individuals with a keen eye for getting things done. These leaders wish to see tasks being delivered and will, therefore, have their employers involved in different tasks. Instead of focusing on a vision or systems and processes, operators focus on how committed employees are in delivering tasks. So, aspects of discipline and attention to d...