Embracing Strategic Leadership: Breaking Free from the 'Doer' Mentality
Nicole Schmitz
Coach | Speaker | LLB, BA-Psychology | Think. Speak. Connect | Australian Small Business Champion ’23 Winner | International Business Awards ’24 Winner |Telstra Business Awards Finalist ’24 Thought Leadership | Influence
Do you have an insufferable case of the ‘doer’ mentality?
How often have you heard the words,?‘Could you be more strategic?’
For many leaders, hearing the word?‘strategic’?can?send their minds into a whirlwind. Not because they don’t know?what?it is or don’t have?what?it takes,?but because they don’t know?how?exactly to?put it into practice.?
For mid-senior leaders specifically,?this struggle is real.?
In fact, it is one of the most common?developmental goals?for professionals at this level. Now I know what you’re thinking. If you know what being strategic is, how can you not *just*?be?that??
Well, in this month’s newsletter, I’m going to tell you?why?leaders (and maybe you) struggle with demonstrating strategic leadership and?what?they (and?you) can do about it!
Why Leaders Struggle With Demonstrating Strategic Leadership
I’ll get straight to it:?
The struggle lies in getting out of being the infamous?'doer',?and into being the?‘strategic’ leader.?A?visionary?leader. The one you?want?and?know?you can be.
The?‘doer’?is someone who:
The functional ‘doer’ mindset is usually a good fit for the first few roles in your career. However, as you move up the career ladder, being a ‘doer’ will minimise your chances and potential of getting into strategic leadership roles. To fix that, you need to?rewire?your underlying?purpose?and?value?in the workplace so you can move on from being the ‘doer’ to becoming a true strategist.?
So what can you do about it?
There are three things you can do to?demonstrate your strategic leadership potential?and bring it to life through your work.??
STRATEGIC MINDSET
Get Out of Your 'Fear' Mindset
Whether it’s a matter of?survival?or?control,?many leaders are kept hostage by their ‘fear’ mindset.
Thoughts like:
·????“I can’t say no to that because then my superiors might not consider me for the next promotion.”?(Survival)
OR
·????“I do it all; I don’t believe or trust other members of my team will deliver the quality I know I can.”?(Control)
...trap leaders into the ‘doer’ zone.
Those who say 'yes' to everything that comes their way, are likely to remain that way, as it works to their superior's advantage. And being the maladaptive perfectionist who wants complete control over everything isn’t sustainable. Eventually, a choice has to be made between complete control or a higher leadership role. Because the higher up you go, the more ‘top-level’ you will inevitably have to become.?
How:
To move away from the?‘fear’?mindset; from?‘survive’ to?‘thrive’?and?‘control’ to?‘liberation’:
Key Idea:?Quality?over quantity.
STRATEGIC THINKING
Reflection & Planning
The biggest mistake many of my clients make is not making a formal and consistent schedule when setting aside time to plan and reflect. I understand that finding time can be hard when we’re overloaded enough as it is! However, this step is vital. Anywhere between 30-60 minutes per week will make all the difference.
During these sessions, think about:
·???Where do you see yourself as a future leader, what kind of ‘strategy’ do you need to demonstrate, and what relationships and networks do you need to build?
·???Challenging the status quo by identifying possible threats and opportunities, and optimising and innovating processes
·???Contextualising your strategy by making sure your ideas align with organisational goals and resonate with your audience.
How:
More than anything else, strategic thinking should be all about thinking?big?within the realms of your company’s overall mission, vision and strategy. So step outside the box and see where you can connect the dots between challenges and issues.
Key Ideas:?Critique?versus merely report.?Consistency?is key.?
STRATEGIC EXECUTION
Get your ideas out there!?
Your strategic mindset and thinking don't mean a thing if you don't get your ideas out there and put them into action. You can do this in a couple of ways:
Build and promote your personal brand
Share with the world and your network your expertise, wins, initiatives and accomplishments in a way that builds credibility for your brand. Communication and language are?key?in this space. It’s a subtle game of selling your strategic leadership value, even in things like on your CV or in interviews. Simple language tweaks can get you out of the functional 'doer' brand and into that of a strategic leader.
For example:
Instead of saying:?
Say:
Take risks, take the initiative, and leverage all opportunities?
Don't shy away from sharing your radical ideas, even in informal settings. Remember, it doesn’t always have to be an official meeting where you present your big idea to the Board. It could be a casual exchange by the water cooler that then becomes a new project you initiated.
Key Idea:?Framing?and?visibility?are everything.?
Are You A Boss, Or A Strategic Leader?
Becoming a?strategic leader?requires more than just being a ‘boss’.
Of the many marked differences, letting go of?control?and setting up and empowering your team for success is but one crucial aspect.
Want to learn more??Watch this short video.
Do You Want 'Lasting Success'?
The idea of?‘lasting success’?is something that appeals to all of us.
But in order to get there, we must focus on?more?than what’s immediately in front of us.
It takes a?shift?from the daily functionalities and proactively seizing crucial career opportunities that align with your?strategic, long-term goals.
Want to learn more??Watch this short video.
Define Your Unique Strategic Value
Shifting from ‘doer’ to?strategic leader?requires some form of a?brand, purpose,?and?value?overhaul.
It involves all important mindset shifts, reflection and planning, and executing your strategic value in a way that translates to others.
This is how you will?differentiate?yourself and be recognised for strategic leadership roles.
Need Help Transitioning From 'Doer' To Strategist?
Sometimes it can be hard to make sense of the million and one thoughts rushing through your brain, and it would be great to have a sounding board to bounce ideas off and help you to make the right decisions.
Like how to move from being functional ‘doer’ to visionary strategic leader perhaps??
A?trusted advisor. It can bring out the best in you and help you to define and express your?strategic leadership brand.
Current Read
Strong leaders are those who successfully navigate a great shift: from?tactical 'doer' to?strategic leader.
Read this book to learn how to propel your business performance forward through?strategic leadership.
Where Do?You?Want To Be?
Are you tired of feeling like you're constantly being?'left behind'?
Why you're never really considered for those?strategic leadership positions?
Take?ownership?of your situation.
Instead of always playing catch-up; chasing deadlines, reacting instead of initiating, and suffering from a never-ending functional workload, give intentional time and focus toward your?strategic thinking.
This will take you from where you are now to?where you want to be.
To demonstrate strategic leadership, a leader must adopt a?strategic mindset, focus on?strategic thinking?and drive?strategic execution.?
But before they can do that, they must let go of the complying?‘doer’ mode?because?strategic leaders?are forever searching for?more. They are continuously?forward-thinking. They are not afraid to?speak up; they are always keen to share ideas and collaborate.?
All of this paints a picture of a?mature, experienced, and confident strategic leader.
Til’ next time.
Nicole Schmitz
LLB, BA-Psych
Certified Leadership Coach, ICF Member
?2022 by Nicole Schmitz | www.nicoleschmitzcoaching.com
T: +61 427 279 969