STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Strategic Leadership

Strategic Leadership

What Is Leadership?

Leadership is seen as a generic skill: that is leadership is leadership, whether in the commercial sector, military, or government arenas. Most of this material is not academically rigorous, in fact, it is little more than entertaining storytellers with a few kernels of wisdom amid the large amount of chaff that readers have to sift through. Still, leadership is important and learning more about it is good for organizations and society. Perter (2006) shows that client outcomes vary in connection with the leadership ability of agency managers.

Warren Bennis (2009), a respected business leadership guru, indicate that leaders shape the effectiveness of organizations, provide inspiration and restore hope, and are able to recognize problems, yet rise above the current context of society to see a better tomorrow (Bennis, 2009). According to kaufman (2003) he follows responsiveness approach for strategic planning, where as sullivan follows the four phase model according to four-phased approach, there are four phases (Sullivan, 2006).

Phase 1: Where are we?

Phase 2: Where do we want to go?

Phase 3: How are we going to get there?

Phase 4: Are we getting there?

In phase 1 Sullivan focuses more on the vision and mission according to him,

Vision

For any organization to be successful, the first step involves the making of a strong vision. It is a very broad term that focuses in achieving a very long-term milestone of the organization. For example, Microsoft aimed to become an organization that has the vision to be a firm which would make available the Microsoft software in all the computers of the world. Such vision is very necessary. So If, I intend to set up the strategic plan for a business, then surely I will form a broad vision with some essence of emotional touch in it.

Mission

A mission statement is a written statement for an organization on their perception of themselves and their basic principles. It formulates a goal state (realistic ideal). Internally, a mission statement provides orientation and thus action leading and motivating work for the organization as a whole and its individual members. To the outside (public, customers) it should make it clear for what is an organization. It is the basis for the corporate identity of an organization. A mission statement describes the mission and vision of the organization and the desired organizational culture. It is part of the normative management and provides the framework for policies, objectives and operative action. Thus, the mission statement, which I will, form will reflect our categorical identity and a focused approach to explicate our reason for existence.

Objectives (Short-term and Long-term)

After formulating a mission statement, the next task involves creating short-term and long-term business objectives. Long-term objectives are chunks that lead towards achieving the mission of the organization. The next task will be to form short-term departmental and individual objectives. These objectives will guide and streamline the function of different departments and employees.

Leadership Theories

According to Kaufman the basic task of strategic thinking is to relate the identity of an institution ...