Why is it important to be a Strategic Leader?

What is a strategic leader?

This question is asked by many professionals. The phrase should be split in two. To be strategic you must learn how to plan to complete a certain goal or purpose. You must be future-oriented and able to make decisions that will affect long-term success. To be a leader you must take initiative and be an example for others to follow. Therefore, a strategic leader is someone who influences others by guiding them to think critically and focus on future goals.

It is important to learn this skill because the economy and market are always changing. By being a strategic leader, you can be adaptable and able to stay competitive in this day in age. A strategic leader can guide a company into long-term success. Being a visionary will help any individual. Understanding your personality and how you work best with others will help you be strategic in your thinking to achieve the best results. According to Dr. David Trafford, "the primary purpose of a strategic leader is to hone an organization's trajectory toward an improved future, which is done through developing and executing effective company-wide visions and ways to attain them." Setting goals and having steps to attain the purpose and vision is the foundation of a strategic leader.

To achieve the level of being a strategic leader, you must learn how to be okay with changing constantly. The Center for Creative Leadership states that "a strategic leader is often a driver of organizational change." Being adaptable and creating new ideas and plans with anything that is thrown your way allows you to be strategic.

All in all, to succeed in today's business you must be adaptable, open-minded, and a planner. Being a strategic leader will allow you to understand all aspects of a business with the mindset to achieve great goals.

References:

How to become a strategic leader. CCL. (2022, April 5). Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/how-to-become-a-strategic-leader/?

Smyth, D. (2022, August 7). What is a strategic leader? Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/strategic-leader-10113.html?