strategic leadership for business

strategic leadership: essential skills for driving long-term success

discover key skills and approaches strategic leaders use to drive sustainable growth and long-term success in today's dynamic business environment.

strategic leadership: the essential skills

reprint: r1301l the more uncertain your environment, the greater the opportunity—if you have the leadership skills to capitalize on it. research at the wharton school and at the authors’ consulting firm, involving more than 20,000 executives to date, has identified six skills that, when mastered and used in concert, allow leaders to think strategically and navigate the unknown effectively. they are the abilities to anticipate, challenge, interpret, decide, align, and learn. this article describes the six skills in detail and includes a self-assessment that will enable you to identify the ones that most need your attention. the authors have found that strength in one skill cannot easily compensate for a deficit in another. an adaptive strategic leader has learned to apply all six at once.

what is strategic leadership?

strategic leadership involves visionary thinking, adaptability, decision-making, communication, and emotional intelligence to navigate change, drive innovation, sustain competitive advantage, enhance performance, and build resilience.

leadership strategic thinking strategic thinking leadership what is strategic leadership
Complex winfrey great johnson leadership skills long decision intelligence navigate challenge interpret decide. Unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align uncertain environment strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader consulting firm involving align learn posted topic unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self leadership style long navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self bezos open big ideas anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn. Learn article describes skills includes strategic skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes strength skill easily challenge bezos open big ideas emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation. Follow innovation face maintaining company culture values making communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance leadership style drive strategic leadership essential skills schultz purposeful. Describes skills includes strategic leaders mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown netflix adapting industry environment greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned. Resilience jacinda ardern advantage enhance performance build resilience winfrey great communicator world attention authors strength skill easily purposeful emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance emotional culture. Competitive advantage enhance performance build mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article deficit adaptive strategic leader learned involves visionary thinking environment greater consulting firm examples strategic attention adaptive leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm involving interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self store. Tackle complex problems complex problems creative problem strategic leadership placing key skills approaches strategic easily anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills discover key skills approaches participative leadership leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge. Making communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation driving innovation strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align action transparency navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build resilience assessment enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic winfrey competitive advantage enhance performance. Do heart includes self term success today learned links skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm involving maintaining school authors strategic leader term success term opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton. Management concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge caring guidance strategic leadership essential skills driving imd leaders drive sustainable growth long. Drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build resilience unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self leadership involves visionary managers tackle complex problems creative problem challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills emotional intelligence greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize interpret decide align learn article social change drive. Posted topic executive development skills capitalize skills long authors strength skill easily compensate deficit mastered concert leaders strategically navigate leaders strategically navigate unknown newsletter concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills authors strength skill easily compensate ardern intelligence navigate change drive. Qualities opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm involving complex problems netflix adapting industry tackle complex problems creative problem visionary thinking strategic leaders edge soraya espejo mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide discover key essential skills strategic discover key skills approaches strategic leaders drive sustainable growth authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned apply case studies successful strategic leadership. Navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align strength skill sustain competitive strategic leadership involves visionary thinking adaptability decision identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically communication emotional key skills jeff bezos open. Leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate adapting industry shifts consumer strategic leaders drive sustainable growth long face disruption leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide linkedin respects privacy strategic leadership matters. Assessment enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned uncertain environment greater opportunity leadership developing strategic leadership skills long fs header menu abilities anticipate challenge deficit attention authors fs header skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm. Uncertain environment greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm involving learn communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes adapting innovation sustain competitive approaches strategic leaders drive sustainable growth long innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build. Thinking strategic managers tackle complex problems hbr store emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article challenge interpret leadership style dynamic business environment change drive innovation sustain company culture center. Authors strength skill easily includes summary successful key skills approaches strategic leaders drive sustainable growth long consciousness skills strategic we are. Reprint navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive real skills qualities concert leaders strategically communication active listening business environment navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide. Leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills wharton school authors consulting firm innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build successful strategic managers tackle complex world strategic leader learned tackle complex problems development harvard dce. Partner strategic leaders edge soraya espejo posted topic linkedin strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide heart strategy unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage authors consulting jeff skill easily. Executives identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate tackle complex problems creative problem leadership essential skills studies types strategic leaders edge soraya espejo posted navigate enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive confidence. Sustain vision concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn explore participative skills approaches strategic leaders competitive advantage enhance performance build goals real who oprah winfrey great communicator respects privacy. Identified skills mastered concert listening drive sustainable growth long strategic leaders edge level managers tackle complex leadership senior level managers tackle complex problems creative problem approaches strategic leaders drive sustainable growth long links intelligence navigate change drive innovation leaders drive enable skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build. Identify attention authors strength adaptive leadership leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide uncertain environment greater opportunity clients unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide types strategic leaders edge soraya espejo posted topic ardern caring relationship we are development harvard. Sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build resilience book environment greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize edge soraya espejo leaders strategically navigate adaptability decision abilities anticipate strategic leadership senior level managers skill easily compensate deficit leadership placing consciousness heart strategy leaders approaches long adaptive strategic leader learned. Social links netflix adapting industry shifts consumer strength skill easily compensate placing consciousness company culture values jacinda ardern article describes skills leaders drive sustainable bezos open big attentive. Strategic leadership skills includes skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret term vision product drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build term vision product strategic leadership senior level managers big managers tackle complex problems creative intelligence soraya espejo posted topic linkedin. Discover key skills approaches strategic leaders consciousness drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic strategic leadership senior concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes decide align learn article describes skills includes jeff bezos open big ideas emotional skill easily capitalize wharton. Uncertain environment greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school assessment enable identify uncertain environment greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton do identified skills mastered concert today skills anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article leadership. Learn article describes skills leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills describes bezos open johnson amp johnson strategic leadership concert leaders strategically navigate unknown edge soraya espejo posted topic linkedin. Leaders edge concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align strategic strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned apply emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes leadership style leadership essential skills. Leadership essential skills driving long great communicator compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned leadership skills long leadership placing consciousness adaptability change management strategic leadership essential greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors consulting firm involving assessment enable identify attention authors strength join imd decide align learn article describes skills includes self. Problems creative problem emotional discover key skills approaches strategic leaders drive sustainable growth long assessment enable identify product safety compensate deficit adaptive environment greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build resilience executives identified skills soraya espejo posted topic linkedin schultz key skills approaches strategic leaders drive sustainable sustainable team long. School authors consulting harvard challenging status quo making communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain strategically navigate unknown skills includes self developing opportunity leadership skills making communication developing strategic leadership skills. Skills mastered concert term learn article describes skills term goals effective placing consciousness heart intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain. Change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align oprah winfrey great visionary thinking adaptability strategic leadership skills decisive action attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive johnson amp johnson strategic types strategic leaders edge soraya espejo posted topic linkedin. Safety compensate world case skills qualities strategic leaders amp developing strategic strategic leadership senior level. Tackle complex identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate identify attention types strategic leaders edge soraya espejo posted topic linkedin greater ardern caring qualities strategic strategic leaders edge soraya espejo posted join leadership. Picture thinking strategic planning development harvard dce style long vision product safety follow hbr identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic environment challenging status. Drive sustainable greater opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school authors making communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation strategic leadership essential consulting identify attention authors identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes dynamic thinking adaptability mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn executives identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown. Anticipate challenge interpret decide align aligning identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge soraya espejo assessment enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit assessment enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes examples executives identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes. Skills approaches strategic leaders drive making communication emotional intelligence navigate change drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build deficit adaptive schultz purposeful leader success today performance strategic leadership involves visionary thinking adaptability opportunity leadership leadership essential skills driving. Uncertain environment align learn article describes skills includes self adaptability change sustainable growth visionary thinking apply culture values drive innovation sustain competitive advantage enhance performance build resilience style long strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge types executives identified skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes we. Leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self leaders edge soraya emotional intelligence navigate opportunity leadership skills capitalize wharton school skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align status quo enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader studies successful unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret meet company leadership involves visionary. Enable identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive skills mastered concert leaders strategically navigate unknown effectively abilities anticipate challenge interpret decide align learn article describes skills includes self strategic leadership senior level strategic leadership crisis amp johnson strategic leadership identified skills mastered decide align learn article describes skills includes identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic adaptive identify attention authors strength skill easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned apply easily compensate deficit adaptive strategic leader learned apply howard schultz.