How do we know whether a manager’s experiences and skills are sufficient to operate at a strategic level in an organization? What insight does recent research on strategic leadership shed on these challenges?
ABSTRACT:
Leading an organization through a strategic reorientation goes far beyond single-stroke measures such as increasing task-orientation or process efficiency. Nor will mere employee-centered leadership, on its own, guarantee organizational effectiveness. This raises questions: Are our leadership frameworks robust enough to under gird organizational effectiveness in a post-normal age? How do we know whether a manager’s experiences and skills are sufficient to operate at a strategic level in an organization? What insight does recent research on strategic leadership shed on these challenges?

Research suggests that strategic competencies are most needed in senior level positions.
OUTLINE:
1. Introduction
2. Strategic Leadership: Definitions and Direction
3. The External Competencies of Strategic Leaders
4. The Internal Competencies of Strategic Leaders
5. Developing Strategic-Level Leaders
Gary, J. E. (2011). Strategic leadership: Cultivating competencies for post-normal times. In Franco Gandolfi (Ed.), Foundations of contemporary leadership (pp. 193-207). Saarbrücken, Germany: LAP LAMBERT Academic.
Dr. Jay Gary is president of PeakFutures.com, a foresight consulting group. Over the past twenty years he has helped non-profits, foundations, civic leaders, and strategic alliances to create more promise filled futures. He also teaches strategic foresight, innovation and leadership at the graduate level and through professional development courses.