You might be a strategic leader if…

Last week we discussed the importance of avoiding strategic mishaps, and why they occur. This week we continue our discussion with more specifics on how to be a strategic leader.

Jeff Foxworthy is a famous comedian who originally became known for his one-liners dealing with – what he as a southerner calls – “rednecks”. His routine and timing were great. Foxworthy would start a phrase with the words, “You might be a redneck if…” and then finish with various hilarious phrases. Some of my favorites are:

You might be a redneck if …

…you ever cut your grass and found a car.

…you think the stock market has a fence around it.

…your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.

…you own a set of bowls and they all say Kool Whip on the side.

You get the picture.

Well lately I have been asked a lot about how leaders can become more strategic, and how to know if they are focusing enough on strategy.

How would we know if we are a strategic leader?

Well, you might be a strategic leader if … you embody the following 3 characteristics:

1. You might be a strategic leader if…

Your goals are never far from you. Leadership is about where you are going. Management is about where you are. Both are important. But to be a strategic leader requires a futuristic clarity that has goals attached to it. When we know what we are looking to accomplish and the specifics of how are attached to our daily way of thinking, we find ourselves being consistently strategic.

Six months ago, I started using Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner and it has made a huge difference. The planner is set up to create structure around goals – goals which are established prior to organizing my time. This tool helps me be a strategic leader because my goals are always in front of me.

2. You might be a strategic leader if…

You have routines that allow you to assess what is really going on. Strategy requires honest critique and input. One of the services Intentional Impact provides is a leadership audit. What we find, consistently, is that leaders get caught up in planning and doing, but often haven’t built in ways to evaluate and make mid-course corrections.

We react, both positively and negatively, but don’t assess. We even create priorities to move forward yet we don’t assess whether everyone is actually executing the plan. Have you ever been shocked to find what is really going on?

In his excellent book, “The Good and Beautiful Life”, James Bryan Smith contrasts assessing with judging. He says, “Judging is making a negative evaluation of others without standing in solidarity with them.” I love this because assessing is really important, but we need to avoid judging by walking with those that we assess. It makes us strategic together, instead of judging in isolation.

3. You might be a strategic leader if…

Your compass is well-defined, even if your map is not. I don’t know what your experience with God is like, but for most of my life, I keep asking God for a map and I get handed a compass. That’s not a bad thing, although it is sometimes frustrating. Seeking clarity is one of the most strategic things a leader can do. What we need to be okay with is the clarity of direction and the ever-present shifting of specifics.

For example, last fall I was headed to Taylor University where my daughter plays soccer. The match was at 7pm. I knew how to get there, but construction and sudden traffic caused me to readjust my route. Where I was going was clear and constant, how I was going to get there was fluid.  The same is true in our leadership. Being strategic is relentlessly defining direction and major priorities. Then we can not only start moving in the right direction, but also make adjustments as we go. Both are important. However, without the initial strategic clarity, we are just traveling without a destination.

Leadership expert Clayton Christenson refers to leaders as “destination experts.” What a great definition!

You know you are a strategic leader if…

• Goals are never far away
• Routines allow for proper assessment
• Compass (direction) is well defined

With these three strategic parameters in place we can lead with confidence and intentionality.

Being – or becoming – a strategic leader requires disciplines, measurements and planning. It also requires intentionality to get to the destination – no matter what the route is. How are your strategic strengths? Let’s discuss, shoot me a reply below!