[December 5, 2016]. Today I’m slow posting due to relocating from New York City to southern New Jersey. The nearest town center is about 4 miles away and the ocean beaches are nearby! And I will be without Internet for a couple of days so all this typing is done on my iPhone 4.
A few comments to help distinguish leaders from more successful senior leaders. The distinction is crucial for those who may have an interest in advancing within an organization, expanding your thinking, or mentoring another leader. Here are 3 strategic ways of thinking.
Debates over the problem of the terrorist group the Islamic State (IS or ISIS), the fight to “contain” or “destroy” them, and what nations should be involved in a combat or support role or not is an important one. The strategic thinker is concerned about it but knows IS will be eventually defeated. Thus, after the IS defeat, the vacuum created is what most concerns the strategic thinker.
During World War II, country leaders around the world were concerned about being attacked and consumed by Nazi Germanr, Imperial Japan, or some Axis power. No nation could withstand these strong military powers alone. What to do to stop the dominating Axis machine was a problem until the Tehren Conference attended by the Big Three. Successful strategic leaders work in and are successful in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment.
Failure is an integral part of learning and all leaders have failed, many repeatedly and have gained invaluable first-hand experience. Thomas Edison, American inventor, was known for his many failures but more for his success. Like Edison, General Patton, Steve Jobs, and Winston Churchill illustrate that strategic leaders can fail yet be successful. Yet the best will never give an excuse for either there own leadership failures or for there organization.
Successful strategic leaders don’t necessarily have more intelligence, experience, networks, or luck. What they do have is an ability to look beyond the obvious, the ability to pull together people to work in a VUCA environment, never ever make an excuse for failure.
[Don’t forget to “Like” the Leader Maker at our Facebook Page.]