Encyclopedia of Leadership

HOW TO USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL

“The key to success is to ensure that your strategies, capabilities and approach to leadership [are]

internally consistent and aligned with the requirements of the operating environment. ...This is

accomplished by focusing upon the dominant logic within each of these elements and aligning each

element to achieve balance (equilibrium) within the whole business system.”

—Norman Chorn and Ivan Nurick, STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

Use the table and categories provided to assess the appropriateness and alignment of your cur-

rent market environment (customer needs), business strategy, organizational culture, and style

of leadership within your business unit or organization. Next, repeat the process, responding

not to the current situation, but rather to what each of these elements could and should

become. Assess gaps between the current situation and the ideal or future scenario, and plan

action to close these alignment gaps. Keep in mind that organizational change requires culture

change, and culture change requires change in leadership style; yet neither should be under-

taken without a clear business strategy. [☛3.3 Environmental Scan, 5.1 Change Equation]

WEB WORKSHEET

90 SECTION 3 TOOLS FORSTRATEGICTHINKING

➠responsive

➠action and growth-

oriented

➠active

➠assertive

➠forceful

➠driving

➠pragmatic

➠systematic

➠consistent

➠reliable

➠hierarchical

➠managerial

➠administrative

➠develop new

approaches

➠seek change

➠imaginative

➠adaptable

➠visionary

➠conceptual

➠involving

➠consultative

➠consensus-seeking

➠involving

➠supportive

➠consensus-seeking

➠caring

Appropriate

organizational

culture

Appropriate

leadership

style

Current customer needs are: Customer needs will be:

Current strategy: Ideal future strategy:

Current organizational culture: Ideal future organizational culture:

Current leadership style: Ideal future leadership style:

Ideal future scenario

Current situation (achieve within _____ years)