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• Likes things to be predictable.
• Narrow perspective.

• Low-variety background.

Did you know?
A strategic approach to leadership is, on average, 10 times more significant to your perceived
effectiveness than other behaviors. At least that’s what a global survey of 60,000 managers conducted by
the Management Research Group in 2013 found. Strategic-minded leaders tend to look much more
broadly when they solve problems and make decisions. They think in multiple time frames, balancing
achieving things now with planning for potential future outcomes. They think systemically, making
connections and understanding the impact their decisions have on other parts of the organization. The
study also revealed that those with the highest ratings on these skills associated with strategic mindset
were four times more likely than their lower-scoring counterparts to be viewed as high potential within
their organization. 51, 52

Tips to develop Strategic mindset

1. Can’t anticipate what’s to come? Become a trend-watcher. Too busy getting today’s work done to
think about tomorrow? To cultivate a strategic mindset, keep one eye toward the horizon. Study
emerging trends inside and outside your field. Get in the habit of questioning what things will mean for
the future. How is technology driving greater efficiency and breakthrough innovation? How is social
media altering the way people make purchasing decisions? Tap into future-focused resources such
as the World Future Society, Institute for the Future, or Faith Popcorn’s TrendBank. Join the Future
Trends group in LinkedIn. Listen to thought-provoking speakers live or online. Meet with colleagues to
discuss how events and trends may impact your organization’s strategy. Brainstorm ways you can
capitalize on emerging opportunities. When examining trends, Rosabeth Moss Kanter advises
zooming in and zooming out. Zoom in for sharp focus on important details. Zoom out to see how
details form patterns and fit into the bigger picture.

2. Out of touch with customers? Make customer intimacy a priority. A winning strategy is designed
around the customer. Understand your customers historically, today, and most importantly, tomorrow.
What products and services do they want more or less of? How can you improve the user
experience? What do your competitors offer that you don’t? What trends do you need to monitor and
plan for? Analyze market and customer data. Gather fresh insights. Watch customers as they interact
with your products or services. Meet with your internal or external customers on a regular basis to
understand their needs and desires. Determine which customers you want to keep and which you
want to attract in the future. Plan how you’ll accomplish these goals. Allocate your greatest resources
to your primary customers.

3. Unclear about the competitive landscape? Get market smart. Know the industry inside and out,
from the smallest to the largest player. Study the competition’s annual reports, websites, press
releases, social media sites. What are their strengths and weaknesses? What is their strategy related

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