How to move from an operational leadership role to a strategic one
For many leaders, a moment comes when the strength they were once celebrated for (e.g. getting things done) starts to feel like it’s holding them back. While being a reliable problem-solver is a valuable skill, some leaders can feel the pull into a more strategic leadership role, even when they’ve been only operational until now. If this is where you find yourself, you’ll know it’s a subtle but important evolution in your leadership career – and in my opinion, a sign of maturity in your leadership journey.
It starts with recognising the transition
In the early stages of leadership, what will get you noticed and promoted is the ability to get things done – being dependable, delivering results and solving problems quickly (and efficiently). What is less common is for a leader to recognise before their company does that it is time to be strategic. Very often, I’m coaching people who’ve been told they need to get out of the detail and busy work, and into the strategising, and they are not ready for it. So if this is you and you’re already feeling the need to move more strategically, you’re already in a great position. Here’s what you should do to move from an operational to a strategic role.
Ask for feedback
The first thing to do is ask for feedback on any of the roles you’ve played recently in the strategy process – this will show you what you’re doing well, identify anything you still need to work on and, even more importantly, allow you to tell people that you love the strategy work and want this to become your focus before too long.
It’s also worth reflecting on whether your current role can be done in a way that’s more strategic (and so it’s just about clearing the space and changing company perspectives so you can do so) – OR – if you’ll need to be promoted to get a role that is more strategically leaning. Your job description may give clues – check to see if it talks about vision and setting direction, or if it’s more about just getting stuff done.
Then plan your next move
Armed with the results of all of this research, you can plan your next move. Is it to start to do more strategic work in your current role and to point out to people that you’re doing it (and you’re good at it)? Or is it to find a role a level or two up that has more strategic work within it? (And if it’s the latter, working out if you’re ready to move or if you need to do some more skills-building first).
Three resources to help you to move from operational to strategic:
Moving from operational to strategic: some of the skills you’ll need
10 ways to prove you’re a strategic thinker: great advice from HBR
Listen to leaders talk strategy: inside the Strategy Room podcast from McKinsey
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