#20. From Brooms to Battle Plans: The Tactical vs Strategic Leaders

Dear Friend

Leadership: Tactical vs. Strategic

I often reflect on my mentors' advice throughout my journey, especially the recurring theme: "Be less tactical and focus on strategy." It took me years to understand and internalize it.

This insight, while simple, is profoundly impactful. In the world of leadership, the distinction between tactical and strategic thinking can define our success trajectory.

The Essence of Strategy

Strategy, like a military campaign, is about thinking beyond the immediate. It's about leveraging a situation's unique advantages, understanding the terrain, and recognizing the inherent strengths of your team and technology. The strategy involves creating a competitive advantage and identifying what we call a "moat"—something that competitors would find challenging to breach. It's not just about fighting the battles (completing the JIRA tasks) but winning the war.

The Pitfall of Tactical Leadership

Many leaders, myself included, have mistaken leading by example as a need to perform the same tasks as individual contributors. While it's crucial to understand these skill sets, actively engaging in them can be counterproductive. For decades, I was an excellent developer. However, I inadvertently did a disservice to my team by trying to maintain my technical expertise. They didn't need another developer; they needed a leader, a visionary, and a mentor.

A Lesson from the Marines

One of the most vivid lessons I learned about leadership was during my time in the military, responsible for a class of students in our Engineering School. One day, after a long workday, I found myself sweeping the floor littered with wire cuttings. A Staff Sergeant saw me and sternly advised, "You will never be a good leader if you do not learn to delegate and focus on what a leader should do—pay attention to the needs of your 30 Marines."

This moment was an eye-opener. By focusing on the minutiae, I was neglecting the broader leadership responsibilities. My team needed me as a leader to function well.

Embracing the Strategic Mindset

As leaders, we must rise above the day-to-day tasks and focus on the bigger picture. Our role is to inspire, mentor, and guide our teams towards achieving long-term goals. Here are a few key takeaways to embrace a strategic mindset:

1. Delegate Wisely: Trust your team with tactical tasks. Delegating empowers them and frees you to focus on strategic initiatives.

2. Identify Strengths: Understand your team's and technology's unique strengths. Leverage these to create a competitive edge.

3. Think Long-Term: Always keep the end goal in sight, and set an environment and best practices to achieve it. While short-term successes are important, they should align with long-term objectives.

4. Create a "Moat": Identify what sets you apart from the competition. Build on these unique aspects to create a sustainable advantage.

5. Mentor and Inspire: Your team looks up to you for guidance and vision. Invest in their growth and align their efforts with the strategic goals.

Conclusion

Leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It's about enabling your team to perform at their best while you steer the ship. By focusing on strategy, we can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve greater success.

So, take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and ask yourself: Are you leading tactically by solving today’s problems or thinking strategically? Your answer might redefine your path to success.

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Respectfully,

Uki D. Lucas
https://www.UkiDLucas.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/UkiDLucas/
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