Are you looking to operate more strategically in your career?
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be strategic, or why it’s essential for career progression?
Join us in this episode as we explore the significance of strategic thinking at every career level. From understanding job levelling and its relationship with strategic thinking to practical tips for honing your strategic skills, we’ll demystify strategy and empower you to excel in your professional journey.
In this episode of “The Strategic Leader” podcast, hosts Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig explore the concept of becoming more strategic in your career. They discuss why thinking strategically is crucial, how it’s embedded in job descriptions, and how it evolves as you progress through different organisational levels. They emphasise that even at junior levels, you can exhibit strategic awareness by understanding the organisation’s purpose and the strategic importance of your role.
The hosts stress the significance of broadening your perspective beyond your department and how this shift in thinking is essential for engaging in conversations with other parts of the business. They also share practical examples of strategic thinking at different career stages.
The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to normalise strategic thinking throughout their careers.
Key Points Discussed:
- The importance of strategic thinking at different career levels.
- Understanding job levelling and its connection to strategic thinking.
- Balancing the creation and implementation of a strategy.
- How strategic thinking helps you to stay engaged and motivated in your role.
- Raising your thinking from the departmental level to the business level is key to having meaningful cross-functional discussions.
- Demonstrating strategic thinking accelerates career growth and removes fear associated with strategic roles.
Key Timestamps
[01:06]: Introduction – Why is thinking strategically important in your career?
[03:16]: The two halves of strategy: Designing and implementing.
[08:52]: Understanding job leveling and how it relates to strategic thinking.
[13:24]: The importance of understanding the organisation’s purpose and how it affects your role.
[17:18]: Shifting focus from your department to the broader business perspective.
[19:31]: Practical examples of strategic thinking in junior roles.
[22:32]: Normalising strategic thinking throughout your career.
Key Takeaway
Strategic thinking is not confined to the C-suite. You can start building your strategic mindset early in your career. By understanding the bigger picture, asking the right questions, and engaging with the organisation’s strategy, you can accelerate your professional growth and become a valuable asset to any team. Don’t wait for a job description to mandate strategic thinking; start normalising it to accelerate your career and add more value to your role.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, don’t forget to check out previous episodes and subscribe for more insightful discussions and practical advice on becoming a more naturally strategic leader.
If you have questions about strategic leadership, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (Gemma) or www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (Fiona). Your queries could inspire future episodes to help you become a more strategic leader.
