Pick five of the the leadership tasks that are listed on page 357 of our text. Tell me why each task is important to understand as a leader that is involved with the strategic planning process. Explain what each process means and what is involved with the five that you picked. For clarification, these are the interconnected leadership task that are listed on page 357 of our text:
1)Understanding the context
2)Understanding the people involved, including oneself
3)Sponsoring Process
4)Championing the process
5)Facilitating the process
6)Fostering collective leadership
7)Using dialogue and discussion
8)Making and implementing policy decisions
9)Enforcing norms, settling disputes, and managing residual conflict
10) Pulling it all together
Full Answer Section
- What it involves: Conducting environmental scans, competitor analysis, SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), and staying informed about relevant trends.
2. Understanding the People Involved, Including Oneself:
- Importance: Strategic planning requires diverse perspectives and expertise. A leader needs to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and motivations of those involved, including themselves.
- What it involves: Team building exercises, skills assessments, self-reflection, and recognizing personal biases that might influence the process.
3. Sponsoring the Process:
- Importance: Strategic planning requires commitment and resources. The leader needs to champion the process, secure necessary resources, and provide ongoing support.
- What it involves: Obtaining buy-in from stakeholders, allocating budget and personnel, and communicating the importance of strategic planning throughout the organization.
4. Championing the Process:
- Importance: Strategic planning can be challenging. The leader needs to be an enthusiastic advocate, keeping everyone motivated and focused on the goals.
- What it involves: Clearly communicating the vision and purpose of strategic planning, celebrating milestones, and addressing roadblocks that might arise.
5. Facilitating the Process:
- Importance: Strategic planning sessions need to be productive and inclusive. The leader can act as a facilitator, ensuring everyone has a voice and the discussions stay focused on the goals.
- What it involves: Developing clear agendas, using effective facilitation techniques, managing time effectively, and ensuring all voices are heard during discussions.
Sample Answer
Five Important Leadership Tasks in Strategic Planning (from page 357):
Strategic planning is a crucial process for any organization, and effective leadership is essential for its success. Here's why understanding five key leadership tasks from your text (page 357) is important:
1. Understanding the Context:
- Importance: Strategic planning doesn't happen in a vacuum. A leader needs to understand the internal and external environment the organization operates in. This includes factors like industry trends, competitor analysis, economic conditions, and stakeholder expectations.