WHAT IS A STRATEGIC LEADER?

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Giuseppe Garibaldi

http://managementhelp.org/blogs/strategic-planning/2011/01/31/choosing-the-words-of-strategy/

The Capabilities Necessary for Strategic Leaders 

• Strategy and Decision• Strategic leaders make sound decisions• They frame issues for their organization and insist

that facts and data are gathered and considered• They facilitate a decision-making process by involving a

diverse and appropriate set of people• They make sure that the organization learns experience

and adapts the decision-making process based on this learning

The Capabilities Necessary for Strategic Leaders

• To master strategy in an industry or competitive domain, the strategic leader must immerse him or herself in the four domains of strategic thinking:

• Emergent Strategy and Imagination• Deliberate Strategy and Strategic Planning• Outward Focus• Inward Focus:  Builds Core Competence

Emergent Strategy and Imagination

• Strategic Leaders excel by imagining and exploring new opportunities and innovative ways of doing things

• They think strategically, which means they are thoughtful about the long-term future and are insightful about the competitive landscape surrounding the organization they lead

Outward Focus: Understanding the Competitive Landscape

• Strategic leaders are engaged in matters of strategy• They understand the competitive landscape and the

dynamics of industry and regulation that affect the positioning of their organization

• They attend to competitive intelligence and understand the importance of gaining and protecting competitive advantage

Inward Focus:  Building Core Competence

• Strategic leaders understand the core competence and key capabilities important to winning and succeeding in their competitive landscape

• They recognize the importance of talent and focus on keeping a competitive team and workforce

• They monitor and attend to performance at the individual, unit and organizational level

Individual Capabilities

• Leadership

• Integrity

• Business Acumen

Leadership• Strategic leaders determine the course their business or

enterprise will follow in the intermediate and long term future

• They will make this direction clear to others• They inspire• They coach• They teach• They lead the way 

Integrity• The strategic leader must embody the vision and values

of the organization• As Gandhi said, leaders must “be the change they seek to

create” • Leaders of integrity are humble and share credit• They think in terms of learning from experience rather

than blaming

Integrity• They are kind and respectful toward all members of their

organization• They are courageous when it comes to risk-taking• They can be trusted to follow through on commitments

Business Acumen• The strategic leader must possess business acumen and

drive• Whether in the for-profit or non-profit world, leaders must

understand principles of:• Cost control• Revenue generation• Stewardship of capital• Risk mitigation