Читать книгу The Art of Strategic Leadership - Mead Stephanie S. - Страница 8

What makes strategic leaders stand out from the crowd? To illustrate their unique qualities, it's crucial to see them in action, so we will share with you the story of Alex, a bright leader about to tackle the greatest challenge of his career: charting an exciting new direction for his team in a highly competitive industry. As he interacts with his six department heads, you will observe the inner workings of his mind and get acquainted with the core qualities and characteristics of strategic leadership up close and personal. Each member of Alex's team possesses a unique talent, and over time, Alex is able to harness these special competencies and guide his part of the business to a better place. The twists and turns, intrigue, and drama will pull you through, and you'll relate to the story's recognizable situations and characters.

The people and dilemmas you will read about are based on the practical, strategic challenges managers face in a demanding business environment. Following each narrative section of Alex's story, we discuss concepts and suggestions that are directly applicable to leaders seeking solutions in their quest for long-term success. As you'll discover, when the right mindset and approaches are combined with clear plans and strategic direction, the outcomes are remarkable.

Throughout this book, we will explore the seven essential qualities of strategic leaders, the attributes that have the greatest impact on setting a direction and helping the organization change. The sections analyzing those qualities will help you assess your own strategic-leadership strengths and areas that you'll want to cultivate. By using what you learn, developing new capabilities, and applying strategic approaches to your unique situation, you will be better prepared to respond to business challenges, leverage new opportunities, and excel in your role.

One final note: We have structured the book so it will reward two types of readers: those who read from the first chapter to the last and those who scan the contents and zero in on the aspects of strategic leadership they find most interesting, challenging, or urgent. We know your time is precious and we want to put it to good use.

Let's hit the road!