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| Many leaders are puzzled when told to "be more strategic." |
Given the challenge to fulfill the “be more strategic” goal,
what options do leaders have to build strategic muscle? Gaining an
understanding of the meaning of the word strategic may be a good place to
start.
Being strategic
means “identifying long-term or overall
aims and interests and the means of achieving them.” Leaders attempting to
build strategic muscle should focus on a key phrase in this definition: long-term. Thinking versus doing,
planning versus executing, and looking broadly versus focusing narrowly all support
a long view. As such, they are important elements in the formula to be more
strategic.
Many leaders attained their positions through stellar performance
as individual contributors. With a wonderful ability to execute and the stellar
results that followed, these lucky folks were rewarded with a promotion to a
leadership role. Small wonder that these great “doers” struggle to be more
strategic!
Building strategic muscle is similar to any muscle-building
program. It takes time, practice and patience. Here are three strategic muscle-building
exercises that a leader desiring to be more strategic should first take when faced with a challenge,
project or problem. There is no time limit on completing these steps. In fact, if
the situation allows, spacing them out over several hours or even a few days will
be most helpful.
Look long: Ask, “What would
success look like?” Write down the first five things that come to mind. Avoid
any tendency to filter the results.
Inject creativity: Consider the most unusual, unorthodox or
untested actions that might help to achieve the outcomes you’ve just identified.
Avoid the temptation to eliminate any actions due to budgetary, technical or
personnel constraints. List everything that comes to mind, aiming for at least
five creative actions.
Scan broadly: Identify every stakeholder – this means anyone who is
impacted (positively or negatively) by the challenge, project or problem. Then,
select at least three individuals from different backgrounds and interest
groups and discuss the challenge, project or problem (obviously staying within
the bounds of confidentiality, if the matter is sensitive.)
These exercises accomplish two purposes: First, the leader
cannot immediately jump in to tackle the matter, wearing his or her tried and
true “Super-Executor” cape. The natural pause of thinking time causes the
leader to approach the situation in a much broader manner. Secondly, the process
of exploring creatively and fully (especially with input of others) can open
one’s mind to new ideas or different ways of addressing the challenge at hand.
Building strategic muscle is a challenge for any leader,
especially those who have built their reputations on quick execution. Leaders
can successfully meet the challenge through purposeful and diligent exercises
targeted on developing strategic capacity.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
