Leading with Strategic Thinking : Four Ways Effective Leaders Gain Insight, Drive Change, and Get Results

"Be a more effective leader with strategic thinkingLeading with Strategic Thinking reveals what effective leaders do differently. Eschewing the one-size-fits-all leadership model, this helpful guide outlines four general leadership types and demonstrates how each type achieves success - whether through personal vision, structured process, collaboration, or by empowering others. The authors identify the actions and skills that distinguish strategic leadership, drawn from interviews and focus groups with over three hundred leaders from around the world. Examples and case studies illustrate these concepts in action, and the provided reference materials steer readers toward more advanced information on this important topic. The disruptive forces of technology and globalization raise new challenges for leaders. This book is a manual that will help executives and aspiring leaders harness these forces and address the two central questions of strategic leadership: How do the best leaders develop their strategy? How do effective leaders drive strategic change? Becoming a strategic leader isn't about mimicking an icon. The most effective leaders seize opportunity in a way that consciously integrates environmental requirements, stakeholder expectations, and personal ability. Leading with Strategic Thinking shows what these leaders do, and gives anyone the tools to be a more strategic leader"-- Read more... Abstract: Be a more effective leader with strategic thinking Leading with Strategic Thinking reveals what effective leaders do differently. Read more... "Be a more effective leader with strategic thinkingLeading with Strategic Thinking reveals what effective leaders do differently. Eschewing the one-size-fits-all leadership model, this helpful guide outlines four general leadership types and demonstrates how each type achieves success - whether through personal vision, structured process, collaboration, or by empowering others. The authors identify the actions and skills that distinguish strategic leadership, drawn from interviews and focus groups with over three hundred leaders from around the world. Examples and case studies illustrate these concepts in action, and the provided reference materials steer readers toward more advanced information on this important topic. The disruptive forces of technology and globalization raise new challenges for leaders. This book is a manual that will help executives and aspiring leaders harness these forces and address the two central questions of strategic leadership: How do the best leaders develop their strategy? How do effective leaders drive strategic change? Becoming a strategic leader isn't about mimicking an icon. The most effective leaders seize opportunity in a way that consciously integrates environmental requirements, stakeholder expectations, and personal ability. Leading with Strategic Thinking shows what these leaders do, and gives anyone the tools to be a more strategic leader"-- Provided by publisher Be a more effective leader with strategic thinking Leading with Strategic Thinking reveals what effective leaders do differently. Eschewing the one-size-fits-all leadership model, this helpful guide outlines four general leadership types and demonstrates how each type achieves success whether through personal vision, structured process, collaboration, or by empowering others. The authors identify the actions and skills that distinguish strategic leadership, drawn from interviews and focus groups with over three hundred leaders from around the world. Examples and case studies illustrate these concepts in action, and the provided reference materials steer readers toward more advanced information on this important topic. The disruptive forces of technology and globalization raise new challenges for leaders. This book is a manual that will help executives and aspiring leaders harness these forces and address the two central questions of strategic leadership: * How do the best leaders develop their strategy? * How do effective leaders drive strategic change? Becoming a strategic leader isn t about mimicking an icon. The most effective leaders seize opportunity in a way that consciously integrates environmental requirements, stakeholder expectations, and personal ability. Leading with Strategic Thinking shows what these leaders do, and gives anyone the tools to be a more strategic leader. Increasing complexity throughout the world and within organizations raises new challenges for leaders charged with forming and executing strategy. The most effective leaders address this complexity in a way that consciously integrates environmental requirements, stakeholder expectations and personal ability. Rather than providing a formulaic one-size-fits-all approach to strategic management, Leading With Strategic Thinking defines four types of strategic leadership. The Futurist driving strategy through personal vision The Director driving strategy through a structured process The Opportunist driving strategy through networking and co-creation The Incubator driving strategy through empowering others Leading With Strategic Thinking is useful and practical, focusing on the multitude of factors contributing to an effective strategic planning and the enablers of successful execution. The book provides actionable guidelines, in the form of checklists and templates, as well as examples and case studies, and reference materials to help readers further explore this important topic. The Visionary Type: Driving Strategy through Personal InsightTypical Characteristics of the Visionary Leader; The Focus of the Visionary Leader; What Visionary Leaders Do; Action #1: Monitoring Trends; Action #2: Developing Insight; Action #3: Designing Solutions; Action #4: Iterating; Action #5: Enrolling Others; The Impact of Visionary Leaders; The Directive Type: Driving Strategy through Structure and Process; Typical Characteristics of the Directive Leader; The Focus of the Directive Leader; What Directive Leaders Do; Action #1: Setting Direction; Action #2: Establishing Governance Leading with Strategic Thinking: Four Ways Effective Leaders Gain Insight, Drive Change, and Get Results; Contents; Foreword; Preface; Introduction; Issues and Considerations; Fundamental Questions; Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Strategic Thinking and Leadership; The Nature of Strategic Thinking; Cognitive Psychology; Systems Thinking; Game Theory; Strategic Thinking Summarized; The Art of Leadership; An Abbreviated History of Leadership Theory; Strategic Leadership; Strategic Thinking and Leadership in Action; Implications; Chapter 2: The Four Types of Strategic Leadership Typical Characteristics of the Collaborative LeaderThe Focus of the Collaborative Leader; What Collaborative Leaders Do; Action #1: Building Relationships; Action #2: Listening; Action #3: Finding Common Interests; Action #4: Sharing Power; Action #5: Demonstrating Trust; The Impact of Collaborative Leaders; Chapter 3: Examples of Strategic Leadership; Indiegogo; Understanding Indiegogo's Success; P & G's Latin American Merger with Gillette; Understanding José Ignacio Sordo's Success; Design for America; Understanding the Success of Design for America; Google Takeout Action #3: Motivating OthersAction #4: Monitoring Performance; Action #5: Intervening and Adjusting; The Impact of Directive Leaders; The Incubating Type: Driving Strategy through Empowering Others; Typical Characteristics of the Incubating Leader; The Focus of the Incubating Leader; What Incubating Leaders Do; Action #1: Building Networks; Action #2: Assessing Opportunities; Action #3: Diversifying Bets; Action #4: Lending Assets; Action #5: Creating Support Ecosystems; The Impact of Incubating Leaders; The Collaborative Type: Driving Strategy through Cocreation Understanding Brian's SuccessChapter 4: Applying Strategic Leadership; Gaining Strategic Insight; Identifying the Right Approach; Driving Strategic Change; Identifying the Right Approach; Todd Connor and the Bunker; Chapter 5: Garnering Buy-in, Commitment, and Advocacy; Winning the Hearts of Your Followers; The YMCA of the USA; Engaging the Minds of Your Followers; The United States Coast Guard; Leveraging the Hands of Your Followers; The Heartland Angels; Chapter 6: Developing Strategic Leadership; Competencies of the Strategic Leader PrefaceIntroductionIssues And ConsiderationsFundamental QuestionsChapter 1 Fundamentals of Strategic Thinking and LeadershipThe Nature Of Strategic ThinkingThe Art Of LeadershipChapter 2 The Four Types of Strategic LeadershipFundamental Questions For The Strategic LeaderFour Types Of Strategic LeadershipSimilarities And DifferencesChapter 3 Examples of Strategic LeadershipFour ExamplesWrap UpChapter 4 Applying Strategic LeadershipGaining Strategic InsightDriving Strategic ChangeIntegrating The Four TypesIntegration