Strategic Leadership

This month has seen a continuation of what we like to call the “2020 effect”… business owners choosing to make the decisions and take the action that may have been put off at the back end of 2019. It appears that the start of a new decade and a new year has created a mindset shift… and more business owners are making more strategic decisions. So what does this have to do with strategic leadership?

Making decisions in isolation, without considering the impact on the whole business and where they will take the business, can create tension and a disconnect with the teams expected to deliver the work. Being aware of how our leadership impacts the rest of the business will be the difference between quality results and staff turnover.

Open communication, clear direction, keeping things simple and building trust will see your leadership become super effective and get quality results.

Open communication, clear direction, keeping things simple and building trust will see your leadership become super effective and get quality results.

So how do you develop your strategic leadership skills? Here are 7 simple and powerful tips:

  • Set your strategy 
    Knowing where you want the business to go, and including the team in this vision, will help align your effort with theirs. Seeing how they impact the business, and what it means to them, will help ensure they are on board with helping you deliver it.

  • Set clear expectations    
    Setting expectations up front lets everyone know what’s required from them. Set the standard early, hold people accountable and reward the successes and the results will come.

  • Give up control 
    Leaders need to be spending more time doing higher level activities. Empower your team to take on the day to day tasks and watch them gain an appreciation for what’s possible.

  • Trust & Back your team    
    You hire the people who work for your business. If we have a solid hiring process where we take on people with the right attitude, then you should be able to give and back… delegate tasks and openly let them know that you back them and their abilities.

  • Open Communication    
    Honesty from leaders about what’s going on is appreciated by teams. The uncertainty of not knowing or mis-information creates doubt and has team members second guessing their direction. Be open and keep teams in the loop.

  • Failure isn’t failure    
    Allowing teams to take responsibility means for both the good and the bad. When things don’t work then this is a perfect learning opportunity… be supportive and take joint responsibility to make the learning have more impact.

  • Work with Mentors    
    Leaders need to interact with others at their level or above. Providing mentors, both within and outside their teams, will help develop their leadership abilities and create more time for the business owners.

Teams want someone who will steer the ship so that they can focus on their tasks. Being strategic with how you lead will have the team wanting to take on more and allow you to feed this desire. Give up control and let the team take the reins to allow you to do more high level work.

Forward this to those you believe will benefit from reading it. If you feel this will help getting the best result for you and your teams… let’s chat about how we may be able to help.

Cheers
Paul Farmer
Managing Director
http://www.mentorisgroup.com.au