Sam Walton knew exactly how he wanted his business to operate. He saw WalMart as the cost leader in the discount department store industry. He took every opportunity to emphasize his corporate goals to his employees and became literally a cheerleader at store meetings. We would consider Sam Walton to be a(n) leader.

visionary

Explanation:

Visionary leader: The term "visionary leader" is defined as a leader or a person who tend to see the potential related to the facets of the world and how it should exist and therefore takes initiative to reach there. An individual can often become or achieve visionary in the absence of any "leadership role" and hence he or she can become a person who gives an idea or an idea guy.

As per the question, Sam Walton would be considered as a visionary leader.