The unknowns are usually what people tend to stray from. I say don’t stray but run right into what others have not seen. Do you see it? The importance of organizational values, purpose, goals, objectives, and strategy creates change. Change cannot take place effectively if people are not creating solutions. Challenge-Solution-Change go hand and hand. Strategy is about creating outcomes. When we produce results, we are creating a world, our world. We have opened opportunities for others to be a part of something greater than themselves. Strategic thinking does not mean the person knows everything. In fact, the individual looks to others for their knowledge and insight.
Think Foresight and Gain Insight
Strategic thinkers are leaders, who stretch the group’s thinking, motivate, stabilize the group, provide needed pressure and grace, and can deal with different personality types. Organizations deal with minimal change due to misaligning values, purpose, and goals. Employees are disengaged; there is a vision, but leadership displays the contrary. Problems will be present; rather than list only problems, list the possible futures. Strategy is not a detailed plan but more of a framework. When looking into a future that does not exist, a precise plan places pointless limits. Change takes time, building what doesn’t exist takes time, and the more room given to create allows for fun and creativity.
Leaders need strategy to be strategic leaders. Leaders without implications of their actions are geared toward significant organizational change; it is not strategic leadership. Considering change does not happen overnight, strategic impact lingers over time. The influence is not only internal but external. Strategic leaders should be more than just at the executive level but throughout the organization. Strategic leaders are not only influencing those who follow them; they are influencing the future. Gallup and USA Today did a study and found 56% of employees are disengaged, 15% are actively disengaged, and they are bitter. They will cause more harm to others, keep the organization from moving forward, and 29% are engaged and produce work. Over half of an organization is disengaged because they are not included in creating purpose and value. An organization operating in a hierarchy is losing good talent and resources. Why? Research shows executives are far removed from work and know only about 4% of issues that occur. While employees can identify 44% percent of issues in their daily activities. How do we close the gap; create teams, self-directed work groups, total quality management, empower all levels or create a strategic business unit. Creativity, purpose, value, alignment, and strategy can be found within these groups.
Model the Prophet
A strategic thinker is like a prophet. A prophet is there not only to forecast but to bring awareness to what is there to avoid harm in the future. Prophets are concerned about the present actions that affect the future. Prophets are equipped to face the difficulties of the changes of the world. When eyes are open to actual realities, productive tactics can now be underway. The foreseeing and foretelling are creating a future and getting others involved. They influence internal and external stakeholders. Elisha, a successor of Elijah, saw the decline in the nation of Israel and made a point to speak out and provide solutions. The solutions were not only his to carry but the nation. The idea of strategy coming only from the C-suite or executive floor is long gone. There was clear guidance on what the people had to do about sickness, poverty, war, abuse, and famine. Apple, Western Union, and Chick-fil-A understood bringing a team together of top performers with different backgrounds would set them in a position of vision, creativity, and doing the next big thing in their industry. Steve Jobs took the top 100 employees to a retreat to learn about the top ten things Apple should be doing next. Strategic thinking takes listening to the heart as well as the head. Are you ready to change the world by running toward the unknowns? Providing an answer to what mankind did not know they needed.
Reneé Murdock is an accomplished governance professional and certified trainer specializing in leadership development, executive coaching, and neurolinguistic programming. With over twenty years in leadership roles, she focuses on empowering individuals to lead effectively. Reneé holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, a Master of Science in Performance Improvement, and various certifications in leadership management and training.
A passionate advocate for education and personal growth, she believes in the transformative power of leadership. As a consultant and coach, she aligns organizational goals with practical strategies, earning recognition for her dedication and vision. Outside of work, Reneé enjoys family time and community service, cherishing her daughter’s aspirations for higher education as a testament to her commitment to lifelong learning.