Leadership comes in many forms, so how is strategic leadership different than leadership in general? Effective strategic leadership requires different skills and perspectives along with the capability of solving strategic leadership challenges. Recently I read an article published by Center for Creative Leadership titled “How to Become a Strategic Leader”. Being a strategic advisor who has served on numerous boards, this article greatly resonated with me. It describes ways regarding how one can be more of a strategic thinker and steps toward becoming one.
“Strategic Leadership Stands Out in These 3 Ways”
a. Broad in Scope — When one decision can have an impact on the rest of the organization
b. Future-Focused — Every short-term result lead to a long-term goal
c. Change-Oriented — Any change will either cascade or ripple throughout the organization
“Strategic Leaders Ask the Right Questions”
When leaders ask the right questions, it can lead to new insights and guide the organization to success, by aligning the strategy with members and having an execution plan. It’s not always making the right choice or taking the easy way out but the discovery process when finding a solution. Throughout the discovery process, it helps leaders improve their ability to think, act, and influence strategically.
The questions a strategic leader should ask are;
- What are the 2 or 3 key drivers where we should invest our resources, time, and energy?
- Do we have business strategies that are aligned with our key drivers?
- Do we have the organizational capabilities that enable us to execute the business strategies?
- Do we have good processes and dialogue for dealing with conflicting priorities?
- Are we paying attention to the cognitive and emotional dimensions of leading change?
“Being a strategic leader involves discovering the few key things that your organization needs to do well and can do well in order to differentiate yourself from competitors. Discovery takes discipline and a commitment to continuous learning throughout the organization.”
One of the most important aspects of a strategic leader is learning. When a leader is open to all discussions and ideas presented, it can open up opportunities for every individual in the company and the organization to grow. By realizing the opportunities and striking them at the right moment, a strategic leader will be a valuable asset to the organization’s long-term success.
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About Lloyd: Lloyd Emerson Johnson is a results-oriented strategic advisor. With over 35 years of international, broad-based experience, Lloyd considers various disciplines in his approach to management and board governance. Through effectively evaluating all corners of a business, Lloyd Johnson has reinvented the roles of a strategic partner and stakeholder champion. He is a creative visionary who transforms businesses to be effective throughout all of their operations and finances. The pragmatic leader specializes in risk management and ensuring that businesses are prepared for uncertain circumstances.
