Conference Theme and Panel Descriptions
2012 Leadership Conference Theme
“Visionary Leadership: Navigating Through Uncharted Waters”
In the complex and dynamic nature of society in the twenty-first century, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the imminent issues and urgent problems of the moment. In these constantly changing times, simply utilizing temporary or conventional solutions can cause detrimental repercussions to an organization’s employee and customer loyalty, efficiency, and long term goal accomplishment. Visionary leaders, however, focus on the future of an organization and provide a unique vision that reinforces the why of what they do. Through their vision, they instill purpose, meaning and focus, empower and motivate followers, allow for growth and establishment of new ideas, and create organizations that are more adaptable and resilient.
The USNA Leadership Conference will explore the challenges and issues that leaders and organizations face in changing times and why visionary leadership is essential for future success. They will hear from and interact with experts and senior leaders who have knowledge and experience leading through “uncharted waters.”
Panel One: Trailblazing: What is Visionary Leadership?
A visionary leader operates on unbroken ground, trailblazing through uncharted territory. This panel will explore what defines visionary leadership. Can one develop the ability to provide visionary leadership and how does this differ from traditional leadership and management of subordinates in an organization? An innovative and original vision cannot rely on instructions or contingency plans to function because examples do not exist. Visionary leaders must set the precedent for how they operate as the first in their field. How does one muster the strength to defend the validity or merit of the vision? How can a visionary leader reconcile the creativity of the vision with the requirements of one’s job?
Panel Two: Navigating: Leading Through Vision
Visionary leadership requires resolute confidence from the leader in both the vision and one’s ability to accomplish it. This panel will explore the most important methods and application of visionary leadership. In disseminating the vision to an organization, what methods of communication can be employed by the visionary leader to articulate the concepts and ideas? As the visionary leader begins to chart his course towards vision realization, how does one overcome adversity or opposition? In what ways can the visionary leader inspire and empower his subordinates to come up with creative and innovative solutions?
Panel Three: Charting the Course: Visionary Leadership in the Future
In our rapidly changing world, improved communications, technology, and the globalization of organizations have created new cultural and ethnic barriers. This predicament forces the leader to convey a message that can transcend these boundaries while upholding the vision as the main focal point. This panel will explore how visionary leaders tackle the most significant challenges that exist today and in the future. Should a leader have to compromise his original vision to satisfy the interests of the organization or internal interest groups? In what ways can visionary leaders utilize modern technology to disseminate their vision more effectively? What are the most significant challenges to visionary leadership in the future?
2012 USNA Leadership Conference Program
