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LEADERSHIP REIMAGINED WHITEPAPER | 35 Taking a visionary approach Constant change in technology, markets, and societal dynamics has created an atmosphere of uncertainty, making it challenging to anticipate what lies ahead. Nevertheless, according to a recent analysis by McKinsey & Company, the essence of effective leadership lies in the ability to harness this uncertainty and embrace opportunities as they unfold. They state that “leaders must evolve beyond being managers seeking incremental improvement to become visionaries with the courage to craft a resonant purpose and boldly imagine and pursue the future.” According to Steve, visionary leaders must be proactive rather than reactive. “To do this, you need to use data and predictive analytics to anticipate future trends and opportunities. If you base all your opinions and decisions on market research or what your competitors are doing, it’s akin to looking in a rear-view mirror. By the time you’ve done it, things have probably moved on. So you’ve got to be predictive, you’ve got to use data to do that, and you’ve got to be visionary.”