MG309

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
FINAL ASSIGNMENT
50%

Name: Deepshika Raj

ID: S11160679
Abstract
Strategic leadership is a commonality in each and every organisation and it should be. Strategic
leadership is just part of the leadership in the whole management team. There are levels
associated and have different leaders in each, however coming back to strategic leader, they
play a very vital role. The future of the organisation is in their hands. One wrong move and
things could turn upside down for the organisation. This piece of work explores what opinions
employees lay on the term “strategic leadership”. It also discusses how strategic leadership
approach used by the leader provides direction to the employees during times of economic
crisis. Further it will also elaborate on the importance of strategic leaders in the managing of
the firm whilst placing emphasis on exploiting and maintaining the core competencies, the
human and social capital. This work will also state some recommendations for strategic leaders
when they are creating a space to achieve a vision.
Introduction
Strategic leadership is the capability of the manager to convey a strategic vision for the
organisation or part of the organisation and also to motivate and convince others to procure
that vision. The leader here uses the various styles of management to create a vision for the
organisation. The vision is or needs to be as such which helps the organisation in times of crisis
such as economic or technological to remain competitive. Employees are motivated by the
leader to ensure the vision is achieved and that is by encouraging them and directing them in
order to proceed with the change in the organisation. Strategic leaders are now considered as a
strategic force to attain a sustainable competitive advantage [ CITATION Baj15 \l 3081 ]. Strategic
leadership has many objectives which include the streamlining of processes, the promotion of
continuous innovation, creating an environment that enhances and encourages employees to
be productive at work as well as be independent and also allowing openness for new or own
ideas from employees.

Strategic leadership is being a sole personnel for the employees in any organisation. Many
times strategic leaders make use of rewards or incentives to motivate and encourage the
employees working within the organisation to help them reach the goals. Strategic leaders need
to understand or come in contact with their very organisations mission in order to be strategic.
People who are strategic have a clear mindset, they view things differently, they have the drive
to achieve no matter what, and they are future-oriented. Thy also possess the ability to make
and take decisions which is clearly based on evidence.

Accordingly, strategic leaders have many functions as to what they do, why they do it, how they
do it and what is the outcome. Their function differently, for instance, they are the ones who
make strategic decisions, they even engage with the external stakeholders, perform the vast
human resources activities, motivate and influence, manage information flow, they also
oversee operations and the administration, one of the most important is managing ethical and
social issues, and managing the conflict demands. They have the ability to do this because at
the individual level they have the personality attributed also possessing the cognition. Leaders
have charisma, the nature of attractiveness in work field to inspire. The power and motivation
to drive forces. The managerial knowledge, skills and capabilities to make thinks possible even
when it seems though. Strategic leaders achieve all this through their performance and the
strategic choices and actions they take. Being innovative in a growing market is just as
important. The competition is taking levels at each day. The global market is monitored and
things do not take much time to change.

Hence, strategic leaders are those who ensure that the organisation they are in is always a step
ahead than the others. The surrounding markets are getting increasingly competitive. A new
feature or development is enhanced every now and then. Strategic leaders have this unique
ability to make things work and reinforce actions or plans for the organisation to take it to
levels. A good leader is not the one who leads he is the one who guides, encourages, motivates,
works as a team and sets an example. The very potential to attract and further manage the
human capital is perhaps one of the most critical skills of the strategic leader and more
complicated when there is a lack of talented human capital constrains the firms
growth[ CITATION Hit11 \l 3081 ].
Literature review
Strategic leaders have the ability to translate strategy into action [ CITATION Dav04 \l 3081 ].
Strategy means a plan or roadmap of specific tasks. It has the ability to defeat the opponents
for developing a system of global governance. As a matter of fact, strategic leadership is known
as the capability to encourage others into voluntarily taking routine decisions for the stability of
the organisation in the long term[ CITATION Gup18 \l 3081 ]. The ability to create meaningful
opportunities from critical situations. Building and managing relationships outside the
organisation as well as represent the image of the organisation to the outside parties is one of
the engaging activities of strategic leaders[ CITATION Sam20 \l 3081 ]. When a strategic leader
fails to respond or act in an appropriate manner the organisations ability to get through the
competitive advantage and even earn above average returns fails or is compromised [ CITATION
Hit11 \l 3081 ]. Even though other leadership styles lead to average returns however, achieve

less with the risk of losing wealth[ CITATION Gup18 \l 3081 ]. Strategic leaders are not just
concerned about the situations facing or going on currently but they set a direction for the
organisation where it needs to be in the future[ CITATION Dav04 \l 3081 ]. Strategic leaders
challenge the viewpoints and that too without provoking the significant pushback. They see the
bigger and the smaller picture simultaneously just so that they are able to adapt to the changes
in the marketplace and also at the very moment take advantage of the new opportunities to
turn some situations and to make a balance on the analytical viewpoint with the strategy
building of human dimension while being a voice and engaging with the employees[ CITATION
Ros20 \l 3081 ].
Research methodology
Different research methods were used to obtain data. Qualitative data was collected. Semi
structured interviews was also used as the people interviewed were not those who were in a
formal setting and they did not intended to follow a formal list of questions as such is was much
more of a discussion with a few group of people rather than a formal setup. Qualitative
research gave a better drive in to what was to be actually researched for. It has no biasness and
there was just mere clear explanations and real time answers. Understanding and gaining a
clear background of your research topic is very important and as a result through this approach
it gets somewhat easier. Due to the COVID19 restrictions and rules it was hard to personally
meet people and analyse their views and opinions. However, coming in contact with a family
member who designs strategic plan at her workplace made things come in place with the
interview. Through the interview a quick jump was made into the strategic leadership position,
on what views did they have on strategic leadership, how leaders use strategic leadership
approach to direct employees and what importance do these strategic leaders hold.

Secondary sources

Many of the secondary sources were also used in gaining knowledge about what strategic
leadership is and the concepts associated with it.

Journal articles were accessed online and information on literature review was gathered from
there.

Documents and e-books were also accessed using the online platform to gather further
information on what are the importance of strategic leaders and how they help the firm grow.
Findings
Questionaries was distributed among 10 people, out of which 5 wrote and responded to it and
on the basis of that, this is all the findings that was able to be derived.
The questionnaires consisted of three questions and below are the findings of the views of
employees on those that concern this study.

Figure 1
Employees views on what strategic leadership

An
approach
through
which
vision is
created

create
strategies to
manage strategic creates a
sense of
employees in
an leadership direction
organisation

A talent
advocate

There are many things associated with employees having ideas about what strategic leadership
is. Different employees have different explanations. However, these four stated above were the
typical and common ones they had listed. Strategic leadership has so much to do with
everything running or going on in an organisation. From day to day operation and every single
listing in an organisation, the way strategic leaders are placed plays a very vital role. For any
organisation using the tactics to communicate the vision is very vital. So basically that is what
strategic leaders do.

 An approach through which vision is created

Strategic leadership is all about viewing the future. The plans that are associated and
how to see the organisation run in the long term. It is very obvious that today every
organisation needs a good strategic leader. A good strategic leader does not encompass
on the same line throughout the running of the business but in fact they open doors for
new ideas and options and draft them to move the organisation to a new level each
time. They also ensure that the organisation is well off in line with the market trends
and all.

 Creates a sense of direction

Strategic leadership does not end at just having a vision but directing employees with
the vision. Direction is very essential and as strategic leaders one must have a very good
sense of direction to allow employees to reach and work towards the vision. Direction is
created when employees are united and a strategic leader makes sure that employees
are intact. Direction lets the employees avoid any sort of complexity.

 A talent advocate
Strategic leadership is a field of talents. When in a business environment leaders needs
to have that talent. That talents helps them grow, the organisation grow and so lets the
employees and people in the community grow. A talented strategic leader has new ways
of viewing things which is innovative and visionary to the new world. Typically
something the current generation and world wants.

 Create strategies to manage employees in an organisation

Creating strategies to manage employees in an organisation is very important.
Employees are not just working for the organisation but most importantly help the
organisation grow and when a strategic leader develops strategies it should be as such
that also helps the employees. The use of incentives and rewards on employees to
motivate them and at the same time encourage them to participate actively in the
organisation.

Figure 2
 Strategic leadership approach providing direction to employees during economic crisis

APPROACHES

Retaining the current Determining strategic

customers direction

The economic crises hits organisations very hard and at times it becomes very hard to
deal with challenges coming your way and how you incorporate them.

Having a family member whose role at the Bank of the South Pacific is to design and
follow up on strategic plan has helped in answering question number two of the case study. In
an informal interview with her, she outlined what all they are doing in order to deal with the
current situation the country is facing due to Covid-19. The country is having economic crisis
and things are not like before.

 Retaining the current customers

So as this current economic crisis being held upon the country. Strategic leaders are
designing strategic plans that help the organisation overcome this challenge. Fiji being a
developing country and facing this situation at the very moment is getting really. So as
for banks, they are asked to retain their current customers. Because in this situation
they do not get new customers or clients as a result to avoid losing the current ones
 they are told to look into being duly available for them. Providing them with the best
they can to remain on the customers lists. For instance many people have lost their jobs
and many of the small business have shut down and banks are supposed to be always
helping their clients as a result having discussions with the government they have
relaxed some loans. But as we know the business must keep running and they cannot
afford losses, so their plan is designed in such a way that they will not lay off any
employees from their organisation, however if they have vacancies in the organisation
then they will not approach people from outside but relocate the organisations
employees in there. This done to allow for less expenses whilst continuing the business
as normal so that they do not face any losses in the future.

 Determining strategic direction

Many people are jobless and most importantly many people are working from home. So
as a result online platform is being used more. It has been noted that internet usage has
been increased by 50%. Which indicates people are always on the social platform. As a
result strategic leaders are now designing plans that suit the current situation. For
instance sharing your business profile and support online daily. This will allow customers
to check on systems within the comfort one and being loyal to your business. Many
restaurants around the country are now doing home delivery service, which is clearly a
new strategic plan made by the leader to ensure business keeps running. So there are
often many things associated with being on the directional side. The fact that leaders
need to know how to not face losses is very important employees are continually
needed to be motivated during this times. Strategic leaders can offer a communication
with them and talk out issues. Provide them space for open communication and
decision making. Sometimes many ideas combined together gives a good outcome. It is
very much important that employees are aware how the business runs during this crisis
and it is also important to let them know if they are going to face pay cuts because they
have the right to know.
Importance of strategic leaders in managing the firms’ resources.

This is typically one of the most important task. Human capital and social capital being
the being the firms’ resources. A strategic leader has the capabilities to design a strategy
that can basically exploit opportunity so that the core competencies can be somewhat
valuable to the organisation. Taking into account of the human capital, they motivate
their employees with incentives like rewards, benefits, recognition, promotions, team
building, family fun day and much more. It is obvious that organisations in Fiji are very
much doing all this. For instance BSP has family fun day each year, they even have team
building for each department twice a year. This is typically to keep employees known
that they are valued and are part of the organisation. Through doing so the strategic
leader is able to manage employees and motivate them to carry out tasks effectively
and efficiently in the organisation allowing productivity. Social capital is the well-being
of the community around which you work. For instance helping or giving back to the
community is an act of a social activity known as corporate social responsibility. Usage
of green initiatives, reducing carbon footprints, organising charities to help people build
a school, or help with surgeries. The strategic leader knows the importance of the
resources around and by doing so and allowing the employees to be part of such
initiatives is basically to allow them learn on how to utilise all resources in the
organisation.
Discussion

This study is basically an overview of how strategic leadership plays an important role in
an organisation. Strategic leadership is not just basically a leader leading. Along with it
comes so many responsibilities that allow a leader to be called a leader. Leaders just do
not lead, they set a vision and walk towards achieving it. A true leader is one who is able
to make all the employees work towards achieving the organisations long set vision
effectively. Productivity is the main objective of strategic leadership [ CITATION Gup18 \l
3081 ]. Forecasting the organisations needs are very important and critically who best

does this are the employees from the context of their own work pace. Inventiveness,
perception, and willingness to help an individual to realise his or her goals and
objectives is what functional strategic leadership all about. It is the potential that needs
to be present in strategic leaders to comprehend and foresee the work atmosphere. The
mind of a strategic leader has to be innovative to see the potential outside and a clear
vision for the organisation.

Determining strategic direction, typically an action that leaders take in order to sustain
certain terms and situations an organisation faces. It is very important to be up-to-date
with the things going around just so you can be in line or even a step ahead. The image
or vision a firm seeks to develop over time which typically comes in with the threats and
opportunities[ CITATION Hit11 \l 3081 ]. Currently the world is under an economic
pressure and things are not coming in line with what organisations are expecting rather.
It is very important during this times to have a plan set aside that can help. Usually you
cannot continue with the same plan as directed because businesses run with money and
when the nation is under an economic crisis the organisations need to prepare for it.
Perhaps a plan that is for at least a period that the organisation can sense or guarantee.
However, it is important not to lose sense of the organisations strengths while pointing
out the threats because if the organisation is a typical industry for sure it can overcome
such crisis and downturn the threats quick. Leaders need to analyse situations and the
trends their clients and customers are following and follow that to develop a plan.
A plan that enables your current customers to stick to you. Online platforms need to be
used. Practically how wide the perspective is. Can change be anticipated? If yes, how.
Leaders are noted to be able to notice very small details of everything going on and out
of the organisation. This little things guide them to work out ways in times of crises.
They need to clear their perceptions on certain things and have a look out. How can
they keep running a business during such times? They need to be considerate as well.
For instance laying off employees. Critically knowing how tough the time is and laying
off employees is not really a good idea. Rather communicate with them and discuss
issues with the, allow for open space discussion and ask them to state their opinions
[ CITATION Dav04 \l 3081 ].

The knowledge and skills of the entire firm is known to be the human capital [ CITATION
Hit11 \l 3081 ]. Employees are viewed as important in an organisation. They are the

reason for the organisations continuous success and as such they must be valued and
taken care of. With this is linked the human resources and how the organisation can
include and allow more training and productivity programs often for the organisations
staffs just so that they get their share of learning. Employees need to be continually
trained so that they stand firm in the current changing situations. It needs to be
mentioned that they are ready for challenges, they are ready to compete in the
competitive market. Employees also need to be motivated through incentives likely,
rewards, pay rises, bonuses. Social capital is basically the relationship the firm has inside
and out that helps it to carry out tasks whilst creating value for its customers and
shareholders[ CITATION Hit11 \l 3081 ]. It is like a teamwork that employees need to work
as a connected body to ensure great minds meet and get work done on time. Team
work is also promoting productivity and efficiency. In outside relationship, the firm
typically involves themselves in CSR to give back to the community. It is always essential
to provide to the people and the communities as a responsible citizen. Resources must
be shared.
Recommendations
 Making it a team effort
Change is very important but so is team effort. When a leader visions a change he needs
to call it a team vision so that it motivates the employees more to work towards it. It is
combining all the knowledge, work efforts and timeliness together to achieve
something. Teamwork improves problem solving, brings more potential outcomes, is
energetic and exciting so work will never be boring.

 Communication
Communication is another vary important factor that leaders should imply.
Communicating clears confusions and doubts about so many things. Communicating
helps understand things around you better. The leader needs to communicate the vision
to each and every employee simultaneously so that everyone knows what is going on.
Conclusion

All in all, strategic leadership plays a prominent role in any organisation, strategic
leaders are very important as they are in the position to upscale the organisation with
their capabilities and efforts. They are the leaders of vision, change and
competitiveness. The strength within them lies in the organisation and the employees. A
well organised strategic leader has the ability to direct its organisation to a well-
deserved path in the market. An organisation needs a much excelled leader in times of
crisis as well. The leader an organisation has will impact the way in which they operate
and how they are able to overcome the situation. The leader is a captivator, one who
builds the passion and total commitment towards goals. Strategic leaders view things
differently. One may see a small sift but a strategic leader knows what changes it will
bring, what is has to offer and what he can do about it.
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