Ops leaders often contact me when they want to shift from detailed operations work to a more strategic role in their organization.
They know all the ins and outs of how the org runs and want to leverage that in shaping the future. But there’s no one-size-fits-all manual for tackling a more strategic role.
You likely already know it takes a significantly different approach than that of Operations. It’s like going from weeding a garden to creating an environment where the best plants can thrive.
It requires confidence and a mindset that’s trained on the bigger picture. It also involves making plans that align with longer-term objectives.
The good news is that it’s not only achievable, but deeply fulfilling.
In this episode, I’ll explore the nuances of serving in a more strategic role and give you a way to prepare for it.
Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/30.
Hey Ops Execs,
Making the Leap: Operational to Strategic Leadership
If you’ve mastered the world of Ops, moving up to a strategic role can feel like a next logical step.
It’s often seen as a positive move, professionally and personally. And like everything, there are benefits and challenges. For example:
1. You’ll interact with new people in different ways. That means managing complex relationships and understanding the organization’s politics. You need to learn the lay of a new land. This can be daunting coming from Ops, where your focus is somewhat contained.
2. You’ll have increased visibility and influence, inside and outside of the org. This can add pressure to perform, since your decisions typically have a wider impact. You’ll need to power up around communication, EQ, and your ability to inspire and motivate.
3. You’ll be less confined to the status quo. This means making bold choices, questioning assumptions, and exploring new paths for growth. You’ll also have more chances to metaphorically ‘blow things up’ to drive change and long-term success.
4. You’ll be playing a game with a longer horizon. That means getting used to an extended timeframe for results. That can be tough when you’ve been accustomed to quicker wins in Operations.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if a strategic role is the really the right route for you. And if you’re game, it’s up to you to prove that you’ve got what it takes.
In any event, building your strategic expertise is valuable, even if you don’t aspire to a more advanced strategic role. So, how do you do it?
Approach Work Like an Artist, Not a Tactician
First, it requires a shift not only in your actions but in your very perception of work. You need to think of yourself not as a tactician executing perfect plans, but as an artist creating new possibilities.
In fact, you might be well-served to cultivate an artist’s mindset. Consider these three angles :
1. An artist uses both intuition and skill. They’re constantly experimenting and adjusting because they envision what could be beyond the immediate work.
When you look beyond the day-to-day, you can start to see a broader vision for the future of your organization. And you’ll take more calculated risks so you can set the direction and tone.
2. An artist understands the importance of every stroke within the bigger picture. Each decision you make is a brushstroke that contributes to an overall outcome.
Like art, achieving strategic success often involves trial and error, evaluations and sometimes, starting over on a blank canvas. This is where your operational expertise is so valuable. Your knowledge of the org’s nuts and bolts can help you make informed decisions that make sense for the team.
3. An artist knows that it’s about the journey, not the destination. As you transition to a strategic role it is okay not to have all the answers at the start. In fact, it may be best to be a beginner, and to try new things and fail forward, or at least learn how to bounce back easily.
Just as an artist does not rush the process, it helps to give yourself time and space to grow, learn, and evolve.
Growing Your Strategic Thinking Muscles
So here I am, talking about art. Weird, huh? Maybe you don’t see the connection at first. But engaging with arts and humanities in general sharpens your strategic thinking. They help you understand people better and see the big picture. And that’s essential for strategy work.
The path from Operations to strategy takes broadening your view and dreaming bigger. That requires you to carve time out and away from your regular day-to-day.
To that end, it can be valuable to invest in learning something completely unrelated to your work. Maybe it’s delving into philosophy or learning about geography or historical events. Maybe it’s taking up a new sport or hobby or even learning a new language.
All these things can challenge your brain in new ways. They make you a more versatile thinker. And they help you get better at finding angles and connections that others miss.
The question I’ll leave you with today: What creative endeavors can you explore to enhance your strategic thinking capabilities?
If this episode caught your attention, you might be interested in Episode 6, “The Fastest Way for Operations Execs to Reach the Next Level.” You’ll find it at yourfuturerealized.com/6.
You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.