Networking, Vision & Strategic Acumen

In my new book I explain why the idea of the “visionary leader” is a particular manifestation of the times in which it arose (late 70s early 80s). At that time, successful executives were responding to the external forces in the marketplace and transforming their organizations. Failing executives were not. Being able to set strategy and transform strategy into a concrete, understandable vision helps you align your team for success.

Imagine my delight this morning when I read of new research from Insead. Nothing surprising in the major findings… they mirror many other studies about which I’ve written – women always do as well or better than men on most of the leadership assessment items. The one exception they found (similar, again to others) was vision.

But what was refreshing was this: study co-author, Professor Herminia Ibarra, says “the image of a man sitting on a mountaintop and suddenly gaining business insight is pervasive but doesn’t really fit with reality. ‘The way you envision the future is by being out there and trying to understand trends in the industry, in society and talking to people – that is how you are able to formulate what are the threats and opportunities in your business and how that might match up to capabilities in your organization.'”

To be seen as having strategic acumen you have to understand trends and market forces. But it’s overly simplistic to say that you can envision the future by “talking to people” in order to understand trends. There are many sources that successful leaders at any level tap in order to begin to develop strategic acumen. However, there is one category of “people” that transformative executives like Anne Mulcahy, CEO of Xerox and Ann Livermore EVP of HP talk with. They credit much of their success to being close to and listening to customers.

Who do you talk with to learn about trends in your profession, industry and marketplace? Someone, no one, anyone? I’d love to know how you hone your strategic acumen and who you speak with to help.

Network ON!
By Susan Colantuono