At some point we’ve all heard that we need to be “more strategic” to advance in our careers. But when things are busy, how are you supposed to find time to be strategic? Watch Bobbie LaPorte’s January 30 “Calling the Game” video for a simple tip to make time each week for high-level thinking and planning.
Balancing Your Leadership Focus in an Uncertain World
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week of “Calling the Game,” where I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
It’s the beginning of a new business year for most of us, a time to wrap-up strategic planning for 2024 and recommit to practice being “strategic” as we move forward in the year.
But what does it mean to be “strategic” in a world that requires us to constantly respond to shifting conditions and assumptions? You’ve probably been told you need to be “more strategic” to advance in your career, right? What exactly does that mean, particularly in this challenging environment where planning often seems pointless? And besides, we’re all busy; who has the time to be strategic?
I get it. It can be very challenging to find the time and focus for strategic thinking, but without this, you and your team will not be successful. You need to develop and articulate a strategy and direction that informs their work and makes them feel that they are moving towards something.
The Strategic Framework: Macro-Micro-Mojo
One of the tools I use with clients to support being strategic is a framework called Macro-Micro-Mojo.
On any given day, you likely move back and forth between these three domains. Let’s look at each one:
MACRO: establishing a vision and purpose for your team; working on ideas, resources, and plans that will position your team for success in the future. This is where your “strategic focus” happens.
MICRO: the everyday activities that make up much of a leader’s day: functional responsibilities, meetings, handling employee and client issues.
MOJO: engaging, inspiring, and connecting with your team; how you support them so they can be successful; sharing your vision and what the future looks like together.
I’m guessing you probably spend some time in each of these domains most days, but you’re not really thinking about it in this way.
There is no magic formula for how much time you spend in each area…but in my experience, most leaders default to the “Micro” domain, reacting and responding to daily fires and regular management issues.
So consider using this strategic framework, again, Macro-Micro-Mojo, as a guide to remind you that you need to be more intentional about where you spend your time, including the Macro or strategic part of your job. Even a small shift in how you spend your time can make a big difference, and it is important to meeting the “be more strategic” directive and increasing your impact and that of your team.
Okay, that’s it for this week’s “Calling the Game.” Hope this helps you gear up for a great week and navigate any curveballs that may come your way!