Positive visions that can mobilize transformations of individuals, organizations, or societies can be produced by Idealized Design. In this process those who formulate the vision begin by assuming that the system being redesigned has been completely destroyed overnight, but its environment remains exactly as it was. Then, they try to design the system that would replace the existing system right now, if they were free to replace it with any system they wanted.
The rationale for this process lies in the answers to two questions. First, if you don't know what you would do if you could do whatever you want without constraint, how could you possibly know what to do when there are constraints? Second, if you don't know what you want right now, how could you possibly know what you would want in the future?
An idealized redesign is subject to two constraints—technological feasibility and operational viability. Technological feasibility means that the design incorporates only the technology known to be feasible. This constraint is intended to prevent the design from becoming a work of science fiction. Operational viability means that the system should be designed so as to be capable of surviving in the current environment if it came into existence, but it need not be capable of doing so.
An idealized design must also be able to learn and adapt rapidly and effectively. Its product is not an ideal system because it is subject to continuous improvement. The design produced is the best ideal-seeking system that its designers can currently conceive. (They should be able to conceive of a better one in the future, however, by realizing the design objective of rapid and effective learning.)
A transformational leader, therefore, is one who can formulate or facilitate the formulation of an inspiring vision of something to be sought even if it is unattainable, although it must at least be approachable without limit. The leader must also be able to encourage and facilitate (inspire) pursuit of the vision by invoking the courage required to do so, even when short-term sacrifices are required, and by making that pursuit satisfying—fun as well as fulfilling.