Being an effective leader entails so much more than just managing people and resources on a daily basis. It requires you to be future-focused through strategic planning.

What does that look like in practice?

Well, for starters, as a leader you need to develop and execute a clear approach that reflects your organisation’s vision and goals.

Thinking about and defining the flight path for the organisation can support you in managing your team and resources. Still, without having an idea of what the organisation’s ultimate destination is and considering how unexpected eventualities might affect that destination, decisions you make along the way can only really serve you in the short term.

Strategic planning is, essentially, the foundation for success in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. Crucially, it is also at the heart of what it means to be a good leader.

Strategic planning as a continuous exercise

Making plans for the organisation with a strategic outlook is not a one-time event it has to be an ongoing process. Strategic planning needs to be regarded as a continuous exercise.

For you, the leader, this means constantly monitoring, evaluating and adjusting your strategy so that you can rest assured it’s always relevant and effective.

Part of that continuous process is about anticipating future challenges and opportunities and putting in place contingency plans to minimise risks and make the most of what’s possible.

“What if this happens?”

To be an effective leader you have to always ask yourself, “What if this happens?” as well as, “What other eventualities am I not yet considering?”

By thinking through potential scenarios and developing contingency plans, you can be prepared for unexpected events and better navigate crises if and when they come up.

Horizon-scanning

Horizon-scanning is another integral piece of the puzzle. As an effective leader you should keep an eye on trends and events that may impact your organisation in the future. Being aware of emerging technologies, changes in your organisation’s clients’/audience behaviours and any political shifts that may directly or indirectly affect your organisation’s operations, you can make informed decisions that will help you stay ahead of the curve.

The famous leadership guru, the late Dr Stephen Covey, once said:

Begin with the end in mind.

To this I would add:

Keep assessing your path to that end and always consider what you might be able to do if you encounter unexpected challenges along the way.