The first job of a leader is to think strategically. To think strategically is to think creatively about how to achieve sustainable excellence at your mission. This requires a clear vision of excellence and a practical roadmap for getting there. It also requires vigilant navigation through the opportunities and challenges that emerge along the way. Strategic thinking often requires creativity and courage to go into uncharted territory. The best strategic thinkers don't go there alone.
1. Know Your Strategic Intentions
What is our mission? Who is our customer? What do they value? What are our results? What is our plan? Peter Drucker said these are the five most important questions we can ask about our organizations and initiatives. Good strategic thinkers are always working on the answers.
2. Know Your SWOTs
The only constant is change. Look inside the organization for strengths and weaknesses in people, systems, financing, facilities, and culture. Scan the outside environment for opportunities and threats which could affect the future of the organization or initiative. Use what you learn as intelligence for guiding the organization or initiative toward sustainable excellence.
3. Make Strategic Decisions
Leadership is about decision making. The leadership challenge is to make sound strategic decisions even in the midst of tremendous pressure and uncertainty. In this environment it is easy to give in to the 'tyranny of the urgent' and make strings of decisions which are operationally expedient but strategically unproductive or even conflicting. The best leaders think about the long-term implications of all of their significant decisions. Whenever possible, they make the decision which optimizes ROI and supports the vision of sustainable excellence.
4. Be Creative and Courageous
Many solutions are never discovered because of pessimism and narrow thinking. Whatever the challenge, if there is no apparent solution on the horizon, keeping pushing. Try new ways of thinking, look to new fields of expertise, and expand your network of thought leaders and advisors. Then show the courage to ask uncomfortable questions, go into uncharted territory, and take intelligent risks.
5. Don't Go it Alone
Strategic thinking works best when you can consult with a team of advisors and thought leaders. Engage key people in your organization to discuss strategic issues on a regular basis. Do this with an eye toward strengthening the organization and developing future leaders. Also engage external advisors who can help you think through the strategic dynamics of whatever challenge you are facing.
Summary
Thinking strategically is first and foremost a mindset aimed at building for lasting excellence rather than short-term expedience. It is the leader's job to spread this mindset throughout the organization. Five key practices include:
- Know your strategic intentions
- Know your SWOTs
- Make strategic decisions
- Be creative and courageous
- Don't go it alone
Go to: 2. Build ROI 3. Develop Capacity 4. Energize Culture 5. Focus Intentions 6. Assure Execution
