Strategic Leadership

Richard L. Hughes

One of a leader's essential concerns is the long-term viability, quality, and competitiveness of the organization. As part of my work in the Center for Creative Leadership's program Developing the Strategic Leader (DSL), I have had the opportunity to take a close look at what organizations and individuals do when confronted with thinking about and planning for the long term. Using the information provided by DSL participants, plus the observations of leadership researchers, my colleagues and I have developed a framework that can help leaders better understand long-term, strategic challenges.

I'll begin with a description of this framework and then provide some specific advice for the leader who is in the position of heading up a strategic process.