Leading with Strategic Thinking: Four Ways Effective Leaders Gain Insight, Drive Change, and Get Results

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"Be a more effective leader with strategic thinkingLeading with Strategic Thinking reveals what effective leaders do differently. Eschewing the one-size-fits-all leadership model, this helpful guide outlines four general leadership types and demonstrates how each type achieves success - whether through personal vision, structured process, collaboration, or by empowering others. The authors identify the actions and skills that distinguish strategic leadership, drawn from interviews and focus groups with over three hundred leaders from around the world. Examples and case studies illustrate these concepts in action, and the provided reference materials steer readers toward more advanced information on this important topic. The disruptive forces of technology and globalization raise new challenges for leaders. This book is a manual that will help executives and aspiring leaders harness these forces and address the two central questions of strategic leadership: How do the best leaders develop their strategy? How do effective leaders drive strategic change? Becoming a strategic leader isn't about mimicking an icon. The most effective leaders seize opportunity in a way that consciously integrates environmental requirements, stakeholder expectations, and personal ability. Leading with Strategic Thinking shows what these leaders do, and gives anyone the tools to be a more strategic leader"--  Read more... Abstract: Be a more effective leader with strategic thinking Leading with Strategic Thinking reveals what effective leaders do differently.  Read more... Content: Foreword Kristi Savacool xi Preface xv Introduction xxi Issues and Considerations xxi Fundamental Questions xxv Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Strategic Thinking and Leadership 1 The Nature of Strategic Thinking 1 The Art of Leadership 22 Chapter 2 The Four Types of Strategic Leadership 47 The Visionary Type: Driving Strategy through Personal Insight 55 The Directive Type: Driving Strategy through Structure and Process 71 The Incubating Type: Driving Strategy through Empowering Others 84 The Collaborative Type: Driving Strategy through Cocreation 99 Chapter 3 Examples of Strategic Leadership 117 Indiegogo 118 P&G s Latin American Merger with Gillette 130 Design for America 141 Google Takeout 149 Chapter 4 Applying Strategic Leadership 159 Gaining Strategic Insight 160 Driving Strategic Change 164 Todd Connor and the Bunker 168 Chapter 5 Garnering Buy-in, Commitment, and Advocacy 179 Winning the Hearts of Your Followers 181 The YMCA of the USA 184 Engaging the Minds of Your Followers 192 The United States Coast Guard 193 Leveraging the Hands of Your Followers 201 The Heartland Angels 203 Chapter 6 Developing Strategic Leadership 211 Competencies of the Strategic Leader 213 Organization and Individual Development 237 GE s Crotonville 242 In Closing 247 Resources 249 Firming Up and Rounding Out Your Skills and Abilities 249 Notes 261 References 271 About the Authors 279 Index 281