You probably know that the word “strategic” comes up frequently at meetings and in informal conversations at work places. “We need to have a strategic discussion” or “You must be strategic in your approach”. Have you taken a moment to reflect on what exactly is meant when the phrase “strategic discussion” is used? What elements constitute a strategic discussion? In this article I will try to share my thoughts on what I think a strategic discussion is and what elements would make such a discussion meaningful and fruitful.
Meaning of Strategic
According Merriam Webster dictionary strategic is defined as “of or relating to a general plan that is created to achieve a goal in war, politics, etc., usually over a long period of time” or “useful or important in achieving a plan or strategy” [1]. Succinctly put strategic is simply a series of well thought of activities to achieve a defined goal. To me the phrases in italics are key to whether or not “strategic” is occurring. It all starts with a defined goal. In the context of strategic discussion the defined goal is driven by an aspiration to get better. I will call the defined goal a betterment state. For example consider an organization that aspires to be an entrepreneurial organization. The betterment state will be achieved when an entrepreneurial culture within the organization is achieved. An entrepreneurial culture is characterized by risk taking, empowered employees with non-bureaucratic decision making processes, and support and encouragement for experimentation. An organization that is not entrepreneurial will lack these attributes and operate in a culture where employees are not willing to try new ideas. That will be the current state. There is a gap between the current state and the betterment state. Well thought activities refer to whatever you are going to do to bridge the gap between the current state and the betterment state. For instance if bureaucratic decision making is stifling creativity then think of what can be done to streamline decision-making processes.
Meaning of Strategic Discussion
Strategic discussions happen when the discussion involves strategic issues. So what are strategic issues? Remember strategic is associated with well thought of activities and betterment state. To get to the betterment state you perform a series of well thought of activities. To reach the betterment state you will need to (1) identify and pursue opportunities, and (2) identify and navigate challenges. Considered together (1) and (2) make up strategic issues. Identifying and pursuing opportunities will contribute towards your progress to achieving the betterment state. Identifying challenges that may significantly impede progress to the betterment state, and coming up with ways to navigate around them will equally contribute to your progress. Simply put a strategic discussion involves conversation on how to get to a betterment state by tackling strategic issues. Therefore, strategic discussion involves identifying opportunities and challenges that will affect attainment of a betterment state and developing activities that will lead to the pursuit of opportunities and to the effective navigation of challenges. Using the example of moving to an entrepreneurial organization an opportunity could be new government funding to promote entrepreneurship. A challenge could be lack of buy-in from key stakeholders.
Meaningful and Fruitful Strategic Discussion
For a strategic discussion to be meaningful and fruitful participants must know both the current state and the betterment state. Further, the conversations should focus on identifying strategic issues and how to handle them. A strategic discussion attempts to answer the following questions: (1) Given our current state what should we do to get to the betterment state? (2) What are the activities that will get us there? The answer to the first question identifies opportunities and challenges while the answer to the second question provides a set of initiatives for pursuing opportunities and for navigating challenges.
Misheck Mwaba 