17.01 – Becoming a Successful Strategist
Founders of small businesses often handle everything, from raising money and dealing with customers to managing suppliers and engaging with the press. While this hands-on approach is admirable, it can sometimes lead to poor management and hinder growth. To ensure successful growth, it’s essential to adopt a strategic mindset.
For a business to move beyond the start-up phase, leaders must shift their focus from day-to-day operational tasks to strategic planning. This transition involves trusting employees to handle operations, empowering them to align with the company’s vision, and freeing up time for the leader to concentrate on strategic growth.
Leaders often fall into the trap of micromanaging due to a belief that they are the only ones who can perform tasks correctly or a desire to be seen as hands-on. Overcoming this requires changing how they perceive their role and focusing on hiring and developing a capable team. This shift allows the entrepreneur to focus on building, expanding, and growing the business strategically.
To effectively transition into a strategic role, categorize your daily activities into three areas:
- Today's Business Tasks: Handling immediate operational duties.
- Improving Current Operations: Enhancing existing processes and systems.
- Strategizing for Future Business: Planning and strategizing for long-term growth.
Evaluate how you spend your time over a month. If you dedicate over a third of your time to future business strategies, you’re on the path to becoming a strategist. Spending over 60 percent on big-picture planning indicates you are ready for significant growth.
Resource: Strategic Mentors offers a free tool to help develop your strategic skills. Visit Strategic Mentors for more information.
This tool can assist in refining your approach, helping you become a more effective strategist, and ultimately driving the growth and success of your business.
