Leading with Strategic Thinking

AARON K. OLSON is Chief Talent Officer at Aon, a worldwide leader in risk management and human resource solutions. Aaron is on the Faculty of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy. B. KEITH SIMERSON helps private- and public-sector organizations develop strategic plans and provides consultation, executive coaching, and leadership development. B.K. is on the Faculty of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

• Foreword xiKristi SavacoolPreface xvIntroduction xxiIssues and Considerations xxiFundamental Questions xxvChapter 1 Fundamentals of Strategic Thinking and Leadership 1The Nature of Strategic Thinking 1The Art of Leadership 22Chapter 2 The Four Types of Strategic Leadership 47The Visionary Type: Driving Strategy through Personal Insight 55The Directive Type: Driving Strategy through Structure and Process 71The Incubating Type: Driving Strategy through Empowering Others 84The Collaborative Type: Driving Strategy through Cocreation 99Chapter 3 Examples of Strategic Leadership 117Indiegogo 118P&G’s Latin American Merger with Gillette 130Design for America 141Google Takeout 149Chapter 4 Applying Strategic Leadership 159Gaining Strategic Insight 160Driving Strategic Change 164Todd Connor and the Bunker 168Chapter 5 Garnering Buy-in, Commitment, and Advocacy 179Winning the Hearts of Your Followers 181The YMCA of the USA 184Engaging the Minds of Your Followers 192The United States Coast Guard 193Leveraging the Hands of Your Followers 201The Heartland Angels 203Chapter 6 Developing Strategic Leadership 211Competencies of the Strategic Leader 213Organization and Individual Development 237GE’s Crotonville 242In Closing 247Resources 249Firming Up and Rounding Out Your Skills and Abilities 249Notes 261References 271About the Authors 279Index 28

“Leading with strategic thinking is a fantastic place to start if you have an interest in bettering the way you behave and think (and strategise) as a leader, if you are looking for inspiration for bringing psychological or behavioural ideas to your business, or simply if you’re keen to understand more about yourself and where your actions might take you” (B2B Marketing, February 2016)