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Writer's pictureCindy Saunders | Leaders Rise

How can you shift into a more strategic leadership approach?

Updated: 4 days ago


As you move into more prominent roles, finding yourself in just one area of responsibility is rare.


Often, you're juggling both tactical and strategic tasks.


But as expectations shift toward the bigger picture, you may feel stuck in old roles and behaviors that prevent you from growing.


Being mindful of your current approach and stepping into a bigger picture requires a shift toward more strategic thinking.

To make that shift, you need to reflect on where you’ve been to effectively plan for where you’re headed. #Leadershipdevelopment is essential for this process.


The “Four Ps” Framework lines up perfectly with the four key shifts you need to step into strategic leadership. Each element—Perception, Process, People, and Projection—helps you expand your thinking, connect the dots, and lead with a clear vision.


It’s about moving from where you are now to where you need to be, with a more strategic mindset guiding the way.



A graphic that shows 4 core domains of strategic leadership - perception, process, people. and projection
The Four P's of Strategic Leadership


Transitioning into higher levels of responsibility requires making several key shifts in both leadership focus and skills. In this HBR article, Michael Watkins identifies seven critical shifts, and I’ve chosen four that are particularly relevant to share.


These shifts directly connect with the Four P’s Framework—Perception, Process, People, and Projection—offering a practical approach to helping you lead with more strategic insight.


  1. Specialist to Generalist - PERCEPTION

    When you’ve been working in a specific area for a while, stepping into a broader role means shifting how you view things. You’ll need to start seeing the whole organization, recognizing how different parts connect and impact each other. That bigger-picture thinking helps you spot opportunities and challenges that wouldn’t have been obvious before.


  2. Analyst to Integrator - PROCESS

    If you’ve been focused on crunching numbers or digging into data, the next step is to bring those insights into the decision-making process. It’s about more than just analysis—it’s about connecting the dots and making sure the data drives action and moves the needle.


  3. Tactician to Strategist - PEOPLE

    You’re great at solving problems now, but to step up as a strategist, you need to focus on people—yourself and your team. This means managing emotions and guiding your team through long-term goals. Emotional intelligence is critical to helping everyone see beyond the immediate and keeping them focused on the bigger picture.


  4. Bricklayer to Architect - PROJECTION

    It’s time to move from just doing the work to designing the systems others will follow. That’s where you’ll start projecting a vision for your team, showing them how their daily tasks fit into a larger purpose. Instead of getting caught up in day-to-day fixes, you’ll set the tone and direction for where the team and organization are headed. Strong leadership is what will drive that vision forward.


Committing to these shifts means recognizing that growth isn’t just about doing more; it’s about thinking differently.

By consciously moving beyond past roles and old habits, you’ll connect with the new demands of leadership and position yourself to contribute at a higher level.


It’s not just about mastering the present—it’s about preparing for the future.


 

Executive Leadership Coaching is a powerful catalyst for growth, accelerating your leadership development and personal journey. It provides the clarity and direction needed to move forward confidently in your leadership path.


Coaching tailored for leaders who want to:

  • Strengthen emotional intelligence

  • Expand their influence and impact

  • Confidently navigate and adapt to change

  • Cultivate dynamic, effective communication

  • Build lasting perspectives, skills, and behaviors that drive long-term success


Schedule a free 1:1 Development Call at https://calendly.com/leadersrise/20minconsult 



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