Strategic Leadership Development
"What has got you here won’t necessarily get you there" Marshall Goldsmith
A definition of insanity: "Persisting in doing the same things in the same way and expecting to achieve different results!"
There is often an assumption that success in the past is a predictor of success in the future. Whilst success in the past is rightly a source of confidence about one’s capability to address the future it is demonstrably true that organisations need to adapt as they progress and their market environment evolves. Unfortunately many organisations do not reach their full potential because they focus on doing what they do today ever more efficiently rather than adapting 'what' they do to generate greater success. Many organisations, if truth be told, do not have real clarity about what has driven their success in the past never mind understanding the capabilities needed for success tomorrow. Do you? Opening your mind to these questions is the starting point for business strategy development.
A strategy is a framework that typically comprises a vision and a set of choices about what is important for its achievement. Many organisations think that it is the role of senior management and consultants to develop the strategy and that strategy should be developed well away from the day to day operation of the business. In our experience taking time out from the business is but one step in a broader process and there is much to be gained by involving a wider group of people.
A strategy’s value is in the balance that it strikes between realism and ambition aligned to values.
To test the viability of a strategy ask the following questions:
- Does the vision and strategy strike the right balance between the need to reflect the current reality and the need for a statement of intent that reflects your ambition and aspiration?
- Does the vision resonate with the people within your organisation? Is it compelling and consistent with the values of your organisation?
- Is the strategy credible? Do your people believe that the choices and priorities that make up the strategy are realistic and workable?
How does your current strategy measure up against these criteria?
The Farsight Facilitated Strategy Development Process has been successfully used by a wide variety of SME, Multi-National Corporations and Public Sector Organisations to create practical, implementable strategies. The process is proven to:
- Harness the knowledge and experience of a wider group of people within the organisation to understand the current reality, the challenges ahead, the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation and identify what success might look like over the next 3 – 5 years.
- Create a shared vision and small number of challenging strategic goals that reflect the ambition of the team
- Enable the team to develop a common understanding of the key success factors for the organisation
- Formulate the strategic themes that focus effort and develop the new capabilities needed for the organisation to succeed.
- Provide a framework and language that is easily understood and can be used for engagement and communication throughout the organisation.
Download: Farsight Facilitated Business Strategy Development Process
A short paper describing the process that we use with our clients to develop strategy
Business strategy development is not rocket science but using a proven framework and process means that you can focus on the quality of the content. As facilitators we bring objectivity and rigour, asking challenging questions, drawing out valuable contributions, consolidating and clarifying to the point where there is real shared understanding. If you would like to explore how this might work for your organisation please get in touch and we will be happy to start a dialogue without fee or obligation.
Email: info@fraightleadership.com or Telephone 0161 266 1090
