From Visionary to Influencer: Navigating Your Leadership Growth Journey

Every entrepreneur, CEO, and business leader in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry — and beyond — faces a common challenge: How do you grow your leadership in a way that actually scales your business and your impact? 

You might start as the skilled technician, doing the work yourself. Then you become the visionary, setting the big picture and rallying the team. And if you’re like many, you want to go even further — to become an influencer who leaves a legacy far beyond your company walls. 

But what does that leadership growth look like? How do you know where you are now, and more importantly, where to go next? 

In this post, we’ll explore four leadership archetypes that show up in entrepreneurial growth: 

• The Level 5 Leader from Good to Great 

• The Visionary from the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) 

• The Entrepreneur from Michael Gerber’s E-Myth 

• The Visionary and Influencer stages from Casey Clark’s Five Stages of the Entrepreneurial Journey 

And we’ll help you make sense of what to focus on next, so your leadership drives sustainable growth and impact. 

Where You’ve Been: The Technician and Early Entrepreneur 

Most leaders start here. You’re the one doing the work. Maybe you’re an engineer running every project detail or a business owner hustling to land every client. This is the “technician” in Michael Gerber’s E-Myth — highly skilled, hands-on, solving problems as they arise. 

This stage is essential. Without it, there’s no product or service to sell. But there’s a catch: being stuck here means you’re working in the business, not on the business. You are the business. 

If this sounds familiar, you probably face the constant challenge of time scarcity, burnout, and the feeling that the business can’t grow without you. At this stage, leadership is about proving your capability and survival skills. But it’s not enough to scale. You need a new approach. 

Where You Are Now: The Visionary Leader 

Maybe you’ve begun stepping back from day-to-day tasks. You’re thinking bigger — setting direction, inspiring others, and creating a vision for what’s next. This is the Visionary role in EOS and the Visionary stage in the Five Stages of the Entrepreneurial Journey. 

You bring energy, passion, and big ideas. You’re often the person who says, “Here’s where we’re going, and here’s why it matters.” This role is exciting and vital. It’s where you start to multiply your impact. 

But it’s not without challenges: 

• You may find it hard to slow down long enough to build processes and systems that support your vision. 

• Delegation can feel risky — you’re used to controlling everything. 

• You may have too many ideas pulling your attention in different directions. 

And while you’re building momentum, your leadership style is evolving toward the Level 5 Leader Jim Collins describes: someone who combines humility and fierce resolve to build greatness beyond themselves. 

What You Can Do Right Now as a Visionary 

Here’s the practical step: balance your visionary mindset with discipline. 

• Clarify your vision. Can you communicate it simply and consistently to your team? 

• Build your team around that vision. Are you hiring or developing people who not only have skills but also share your values and passion? 

• Delegate operational tasks. Free yourself from the urgent to focus on the important. 

• Embrace humility. Great leaders know they don’t have all the answers — they listen, learn, and adapt. 

This is the tipping point where many entrepreneurs either scale successfully or plateau. 

Where You’re Going Next: The Influencer and Level 5 Leader 

Looking ahead, your next leadership evolution is about expanding your influence — and deepening your legacy. 

The Influencer stage in the entrepreneurial journey means stepping beyond your company to impact your industry, your community, or even broader ecosystems. You’re becoming a thought leader, a mentor, a catalyst for change. 

At the same time, embodying the Level 5 Leader means mixing that bold vision with grounded humility. You don’t seek personal accolades but focus on building a company and culture that endures. You create structures and leadership teams that carry the vision forward, even when you’re not in the room. 

What to Focus on for Sustainable Growth and Impact 

• Develop your leadership team. Your growth depends on who you surround yourself with. Invest in people who complement your strengths and cover your blind spots. 

• Build repeatable systems and culture. Vision is powerful, but without disciplined execution and values-driven culture, growth isn’t sustainable. If systems and processes aren’t your thing, find a who to join your team and help build the operational foundation you need. 

• Expand your presence and voice. Share your story, insights, and lessons learned — whether through speaking, writing, or community engagement. 

• Focus on legacy, not ego. Ask yourself: How will my leadership impact the organization long-term? Are decisions today building a business that thrives beyond me? 

Why This Matters — and What’s Next for You 

Leadership growth is both an exciting opportunity and a real challenge. Moving from technician to visionary, and then toward becoming an influencer and Level 5 Leader, means shifting how you think, work, and connect with others. It requires clarity of vision, intentional team building, disciplined execution, and a commitment to legacy over ego. 

This journey isn’t something you have to navigate alone. Whether you’re refining your leadership style, building the right culture and systems, or expanding your influence beyond your company, there are trusted partners who understand the unique challenges you face in the AEC industry and beyond. 

If you find yourself wondering how to take that next step or how to balance the many demands of growth with purpose and impact, consider reaching out. Sometimes, a fresh perspective and experienced guidance can make all the difference between plateauing and thriving. 

Leadership is a journey, not a title. By being intentional about where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to go next, you create the foundation for lasting success — not just for your business, but for the people and communities you lead. 

If you’re ready to break through your current limits and lead with greater clarity and impact, let’s connect. Email me at info@odysseyadvisors.us, and let’s start doing simple better today.