Essay Strategic Leadership - 1068 Words

Strategic Leadership The only thing harder than being a strategic leader is trying to define the entire scope of strategic leadership a broad, difficult concept. We cannot always define it or describe it in every detail, but we recognize it in action. This type of leadership involves microscopic perceptions and macroscopic expectations. Volumes have been written on the subject, which may in fact contribute to the difficulty of grasping the concept. One finds confusing and sometimes conflicting information on this blended concept that involves the vagaries of strategy and the behavioral art of leadership. Sometimes the methods and models used to explain it are more complicated than the concept and practice of strategic†¦show more content†¦Strategic leadership entails making decisions across different cultures, agencies, agendas, personalities, and desires. It requires the devising of plans that are feasible, desirable, and acceptable to one’s organization and partners whether joint, inter agency, or multinational. Strategic leadership demands the ability to make sound, reasoned decisions specifically, consequential decisions with grave implications. Since the aim of strategy is to link ends, ways, and means, the aim of strategic leadership is to determine the ends, choose the best ways, and apply the most effective means. The strategy is the plan; strategic leadership is the thinking and decision making required to develop and effect the plan. Skills for leading at the strategic level are more complex than those for leading at the tactical and operational levels, with skills blurring at the seams between those levels. Developing Strategic Leadership If becoming a strategist is the ends, then leadership is the ways, and development is the means. Learning to become a strategic leader requires special preparation in several areas. First, one must understand how such a leader develops in essence the anatomy of strategic leadership. Second, one should recognize some of the essential competencies a strategic leader must have. Finally, the prospective leader needs to assess his or her current abilities and commit to a development plan. Anatomy of a StrategicShow MoreRelatedStrategic Management : Strategic Leadership1516 Words   |  7 PagesStrategic leadership is defined as the ability to anticipate, envision, maintain the flexibility, think in strategic manner, and inspire change. It is essential to have a competent strategic leader as this will impact the performance of the firm directly due to being in the position to make crucial decisions on behalf of the firm (Ireland et al, 2005). A clear distinguishment needs to take made. Strategy is sets of actions that are needed to be performed in order for change to occur that will leadRead MoreStrategic Leadership2805 Words   |  12 PagesA. 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