The Cranky Middle Manager, Wayne Turmel, talks to returning guest Erika Andersen about her new book, Being Strategic, the difference between strategy and tactics, and how a Welsh king figured this out a long time ago. Also, if you manage remote teams you will not want to miss our
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Erika Andersen comes back for more- glutton for punishment isn't she?
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Show Notes
0:00 Welcome to the show. Last show we talked about Erika Andersen’s new book, “Being Strategic- Plan for Success;Out-think your competitors; Stay ahead of change”. (Listen to Erika’s first conversation with us here). Well she uses Llewellyn the Great as a starting point, why shouldn’t we? Would you want YOUR nickname on your business card?
2:43 The quote of the week is from Anatole France. Are you acting or dreaming? One will keep you mired in the tactical, brothers and sisters.
3:15 Welcome Erika back to the show. Let’s start with a simple question- what’s the difference between strategic and tactical? If you’re confused you’re not alone and there is no common definition but here’s one: “Being strategic means to consistently focus on those core directional choices that will best move you towards your hoped-for future”.
7:27 Does strategic thinking happen at higher levels or do middle managers have a role in all this? It’s important for middle managers because it’s how you can train your bosses. It’s also important for us to look at our own careers strategically.
11:00 What do Welsh castles have to do with thinking strategically? Our dedicatee built a bunch of castles for strategic purposes and it inspired this book. She reminds us (she said this last time too, but it’s worth repeating) that we need to “pull the camera back”.
18:20 Are there warning signs that you’re looking at the tactical, rather than the strategic? If you’re hung up on the paperwork, you’re probably not paying attention to the big picture. Don’t forget, your job as manager is to help people see the strategic context for the tactical stuff they are dealing with.
21:41 You can learn to be strategic…the steps are: define the challenge, get clear about the current state, clarify your hope, look at the obstacles, think strategically how to get there, then work on the tactics. There, now go and sin no more.
Erika’s Resources:
100 Best Business Books of All Time (she’s in it!)
Her book- Being Strategic
Stephen M R Covey’s “The Speed of Trust”
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Don’t let the weasels get you down!
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