Lunch & Learn Recap: The VISA Kite 🪁

At our recent Lunch & Learn session, we explored different types of leadership, and what makes great leadership take flight. The session, led by Tanya Lerm.

"Ever tried flying a kite with one corner missing? No matter how strong the wind is, it just won’t lift. It flutters, spins, and eventually nose-dives. Leadership works the same way."

💡 A Simple Idea That Sticks

The VISA Model, created by Christo Nel, is one of those frameworks that makes you go, “Oh… that actually makes sense.”

It’s built around four elements - Vision, Interdependence, Structure, and Action and together they form what’s called the VISA Kite.

Each side of the kite represents a different style of leadership, and just like in real life, when one side is pulling too hard or another is neglected, things start wobbling. Balance is everything.

Vision (V) – People of the Dream

Visionary leaders are the “what if” people. They see things before others do - ideas, trends, and possibilities that don’t exist yet.

They’re the ones sketching the future on napkins, starting sentences with “Imagine if…” and inspiring the rest of us to believe. But sometimes, they forget that not everyone lives in their heads. They can move so fast into tomorrow that the rest of the team is still trying to find their shoes today.

👉 Tip: Pair your big ideas with someone who loves the details. They’ll help your dream find its wings.

 Interdependence (I) – People of the Heart

These are the glue people - the ones who make work feel human. They remember birthdays, notice when someone’s off their game, and somehow turn meetings into meaningful conversations. They believe success is a team sport, not a solo act.

The challenge? Sometimes they care so much about harmony that tough calls get delayed or softened.

👉 Tip: Leading with heart doesn’t mean avoiding hard things. The best teams know how to disagree and stay connected.

Structure (S) – People of the Mind

Where others see chaos, they see patterns. They love turning ideas into processes, and chaos into checklists. They keep everyone organized, informed, and on schedule. They’re the people who actually make sure the plane lands.

But if things get too structured, creativity can suffocate. Too many rules, and suddenly the team is stuck in process instead of progress.

👉 Tip: Systems are amazing — just remember they exist to serve people, not the other way around.

Action (A) – People of the Body

These are the doers. The fixers. The “let’s just make it happen” people. When everyone else is still talking about it, they’ve already sent the email, booked the meeting, and ticked it off the list. They’re driven, decisive, and unstoppable — until they burn out.

👉 Tip: Pause long enough to make sure you’re climbing the right mountain, not just the nearest one.

🧩 The Magic Is in the Mix

Here’s where the kite really takes off.

Each of these leadership styles is valuable on its own, but together, they’re unstoppable.

• Vision + Action = Big dreams that actually happen.

• Interdependence + Structure = Strong culture with reliable systems.

• Vision + Interdependence = Purpose with people.

• Structure + Action = Execution that lasts.

The point isn’t to be perfect at all four - it’s to know where your natural lift comes from, and where you might need a little tailwind from others.

So, How’s Your Kite Flying?

Leadership isn’t about titles or job descriptions. It’s about influence - the way you show up for people, ideas, and challenges.

So here’s a quick reflection for you:

• Are you the dreamer (Vision)?

• The connector (Interdependence)?

• The planner (Structure)?

• Or the doer (Action)?

Once you know your shape, you can start building balance — in yourself and in your team. Because when all sides pull together, that’s when leadership really takes flight.

The L&S team hard at work discovering their unique leadership-style using a multiple-choice test.

✨ Final Thought

As John Maxwell reminds us, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” But maybe, just maybe - everything flies on it too. 🪁

#LeadershipDevelopment #VISAmodel  #LeadershipBalance #Teamwork #PeopleLeadership #GrowthMindset #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipJourney #SelfAwareness #InspiringLeaders