Leadership Strategic Enablers for the Future: Stars for Analyzing the Present and Planning for the Future

By Cynthia C.J. Shoemaker Ph.D.

This book offers a star model for analyzing the present and planning for the future in large and small enterprises. The star graphic for strategic leadership enablers in different areas such as mission and vision, technology, innovation, people, communication, operations, and culture pick up on the fast-moving pace of this age of accelerations in technology and other areas. Seeing each area as possibilities for new thinking and new models is essential. A large service in the Department of Defense is moving toward agile project management in the areas of software development and in other areas. The dialogue is changing between government procurement and industry to lead to faster, less costly, and more successful solutions, especially in software development. Using the star graphic to develop new approaches to innovation as well as leadership, even for tomorrows complex problems and challenges, is one of tomorrows solutions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543420333

Cynthia C.J. Shoemaker Ph.D.

* ata to follow

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Cynthia C.J.Shoemaker, Ph.D.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017906833

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5434-2035-7

      Softcover      978-1-5434-2034-0

      eBook         978-1-5434-2033-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/20/2017

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CONTENTS

1.   Leadership Strategic Enablers for Enhancing the Future: with Stars for Analyzing the Present and Planning the Future

2.   Strategic People Enablers for Tomorrow

3.   Culture Strategic Leadership Enablers for Tomorrow

4.   Communication Leadership Strategic Enablers for Analyzing the Present and Planning for the Future

5.   Technology Strategic Enablers: Analyzing the Present and Planning for the Future

6.   Innovation Strategic Enablers for Analyzing the Present and Planning for the Future

7.   Operations Leadership Strategic Enablers for Analyzing the Present and Planning for the Future

8.   Mission Strategic Enablers for Analyzing the Present and Planning for the Future

Bibliography

Appendix A: Thinking Skills

FIGURES

Figure 1.3 Scenario: Planning and Developing a Culture of Excellence for your Enterprise, Workplace or Family, (Brainstorm Fill-ins with your Group)

Figure 1.4 Leadership as a Strategic Enabler

Figure 2.2 Herzberg Two-Factor Motivation Theory

Figure 2.1 People and Motivation as Strategic Leadership Enablers

Figure 3.1 Culture in Strategic Leadership Enablers

Figure 3.2 Customer Journey

Figure 3.3 Mind Map: What do Children Really Need?

Figure 4.1 Communication as a Strategic Leadership Enabler

Figure 5.1 Technology as a Strategic Leadership Enabler

Figure 6.1 Innovation as a Strategic Leadership Enabler

Figure 7.1 Operations as a Strategic Leadership Enabler

Figure 8.1 Strategic Planning Steps

Figure 8.2 External and Internal Review

Figure 8.3 Planning and Evaluation Cycle

Figure 8.4 Mission as a Strategic Leadersip Learning Enabler

Chapter 1

Leadership Strategic Enablers

for Enhancing the Future: with Stars for Analyzing the Present and Planning the Future

Leadership vs. Management and Administration

In planning for the future, maybe even to 20 years out, the year itself seems far away; but in this speed-enabled digital age, it will be here before we know it. This future requires analyzing the present in order to move forward. Areas to look at are in the points and indentations of the Star in Figure 1.4. The points include: Leadership; People; Culture; Communication; Technology; Innovations; Operations including Organizing (even for families); Mission and Vision. Mission and Vision may also be listed first, if they are clear and not too complex. However the Mission and Vision may shift after considering the Star areas that can always be enhanced and enabled. In order to help kids, families need help too, to avoid a circle loop with kids not developing the way one hopes.

Useful Workplace and Family Enablers that are strategic for Leadership can be found in such areas as:

• Creating the right environment and a culture of excellence

• Encouraging leadership at all levels

• Encouraging leadership as a skill, and encouraging environmental cultural awareness

• Encouraging leadership with strategic thinking, planning and decision making

• Understanding Choice Architecture

We can see that leadership is a complex skill that can be developed over a lifetime, which can be taught, and can be used to motivate, inspire, and develop the workforce and the family to reach to its full potential. Strategic leadership thinking is needed and required to see the big picture and how it all fits together. Even younger children can understand a big picture conversation. As one three year old said Character means doing the right thing even when no one’s looking. This means to be able to envision where things are going and how to get there—linking a desired future state" to the present; and identifying the path to get there. It is important not to drop a goal because the path isn’t clear. Therefore it is necessary to understand the internal and external environments and then communicate potential futures in building a vision, thus to set expectations for continuous improvement via learning, change and transformation (Moore, 2015).

Leadership is built upon planning for change. Leadership behaviors are designed to accomplish change for the improvement of the organization not just for change’s sake. Administrative behavior and responsibilities may be required of the same person as leadership responsibilities in the workplace, but these just keep things going: systems, policies, regulations—these are the areas that fall under administration. Administration alone is not leadership, however, it is just using old processes to obtain old goals. Leadership would be using new processes to achieve on-going goals, or even new processes to reach new goals.

Diagram 1.2

Leadership vs. Administration

40658.png

<_____> Leadership

<––––> Administration

In analyzing the present and planning strategically for the future, organizations and families have to look at the areas shown in the Star diagram in Figure 1.4. Different organizations will rank these differently. This Star chart shows People as next in the circle but another person in the workplace might show Technology next.

Executive Leadership Award