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September 21, 2015

As the pope heads to the U.S. for the first time, there will be significant buzz and conversation. Pope Francis is certainly making a splash with almost every move. From what I see, non-Catholics and Catholics alike are interested in what he’ll do next – and seem to respect his vision. There’s no doubt he has created a stir not seen in quite some time – if ever. He has a far better chance of his vision taking hold than any Pope I’ve seen – be a visionary, and people will follow.

One tip to implement this week:
There is no way to become a visionary in a week; however, you certainly can take steps to lead you towards this path. Start by not being afraid to stand out from the crowd. The Pope is the first Pope to live outside of the palace in the Vatican and turn tradition on its head. What do you feel passionate about that will help your company, department or team succeed? Be willing to stand out from the crowd in a respectful manner.

Think about options to gain attention. I often see that the most talented people have NO voice. Be willing to speak up and ask the tough question or suggest a radical alternative. Just think before you speak – how might you phrase it so that it is productive? Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. How would you want someone to bring this up to you?