5 Crucial Character Traits of a Successful Business Strategist
The business strategist in today’s business organizations has an important role to play, but in many instances the characteristics to be successful in that role are illusive or misunderstood. The business strategist takes the ideas and visions that company leaders develop and transform them into designed plans that can be executed into a successful reality. In other words, a business strategist identifies given choices, evaluates them, and recommends the best course of action to reach the businesses long-term goals.
What does it take to be a good strategist? Here are the five character traits that lay the foundation for success:
1. Optimistic. A person who believes in positive outcomes and believes the people with whom he or she is involved have the abilities to successfully execute the strategies is likely to lean into (rather than shy away from) a challenging situation. The optimistic person confidently and cheerfully anticipates the best possible outcome. When businesses experience difficult times, having a business strategist who models optimism provides encouragement to the workforce who are faced with implementing the action plans.
2. Realistic. A good business strategist is able to be objective and take away any sugarcoating from reality. The person is able to paint a true picture of what lies ahead rather than wishing and hoping for a different outcome.
3. Anticipatory. Strategy requires the ability to look ahead. Taking what has been done in the past and determining what the best expectations are for the future. A strategist, by nature, is charged with planning for the future, so the better a person is at anticipating what to expect, the better.
4. Ethical. The obvious trait that is an essential component of good character is being ethical. Honesty, trustworthiness, and embracing what is perceived as good moral behavior is a critical way for strategists to make certain the business culture will believe in the strategic plan and follow their lead. No strategy will be effectively implemented by a culture that does not believe in the leadership which created the plan. Ethical behavior is the gravitas that all business strategists must exhibit.
5. Good communicator. Do people really understand what is expected from the strategist’s plan? Without a clear style of communication, through the written word, electronic media, or oral presentations, confusion is sure to follow. Employees will misinterpret the instructions, follow their own creative agendas to complete tasks, or ignore requests entirely until the strategic plan is clarified. Poor communication leads to slower, less productive results and can cost businesses financial capital to fix. Clarify expectations from the beginning by making certain that everyone understands what their role will be.
A critical component of strategic leadership is the capacity to spot opportunities that are invisible to rivals, create realistic plans to reach the desired outcomes, and make certain that the people responsible to implement the plan buy into what you are requesting and understand exactly how they are to complete necessary assignments. The business strategist has an important role in transforming good businesses into great businesses.
