Conceptual Leadership: What is it?

Bob Greenleaf spoke quite often about the importance of having conceptualizers within an organization. I want to spend a little time talking about this, but I first want to start with a definition.

In his essay The Institution as Servant, Greenleaf said that: Conceptual talent sees the whole in the perspective of history - past and future. It states and adjusts goals, analyzes and evaluates operating performance, and foresees contingencies a long way ahead. Long-range strategic planning is embraced here (emphasis mine), as is setting standards and relating all the parts to the whole. Leadership, in the sense of going out ahead to show the way, is more conceptual than operating. Conceptual, as used here, is NOT synonymous with intellectual or theoretical. Conceptualizers at their best are intensely practical. They are also effective persuaders and relationship builders.

Do organizations today have conceptualizers? If so, are they valued by the organization? If not, why are they absent? Answers to these and other questions around the idea of conceptual leadership within an organization as the week goes on.