What is strategic leadership?

Strategic leadership is a set of skills and mindset applied by management to understand the company’s situation and context, and its plans and goals and the purpose behind them, and to lead with integrity following that vision. Among the skills that stand out in strategic leaders are a strong sense of self and personal (and professional competence) awareness, followed by a genuine interest in others, attentive listening and caring for their team, building bonds of trust and respect. Good and effective communication is another leadership skill that stems from attentive listening to capture people’s feedback so leaders can calibrate their guidance actions accordingly. Compassion, empathy, and understanding play a critical role in building team spirit and commitment. 

But since it is a set of soft skills, it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on the situation, context, and goals, there are six different prominent leadership styles and their key attributes:

• Autocratic or authoritative leadership is characterised by a leader who has full control over decisions. This style is often effective in situations that require quick decision-making and a hierarchical structure.

• Democratic leadership emphasises collaboration and inclusiveness. Leaders who adopt this style seek input and involve others actively in decision-making.
• Transactional leadership involves leaders who focus on goal attainment through incentives. They tie rewards to achievements, promoting productivity and a sense of accomplishment.
• Transformational leadership is a style in which leaders seek to transform others by providing tools for growth, nurturing strengths and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Laissez-faire leadership is exemplified by leaders who enable individuals to practice autonomy and make decisions independently. This style can promote initiative and self-motivation.
• Servant leadership emphasises a people-first mindset in which leaders place the well-being and growth of others at the forefront. In this style, servant leaders prioritise empathy and collaboration.

As the global landscape evolves, innovation and strategic business thinking are hallmarks of agile businesses. At GHD, our global network of professionals can help clients achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

GHD Advisory provides solutions for identifying potential opportunities across your value chain, from capital deployment and investments to value preservation and liability transformation. As your partner, we’ll be with you at every step as you embark on initiatives that leverage your leadership and competitive advantage. We can help you in the following areas:

• Asset management
• Assurance audit and compliance
• Business case and economics
• ESG and strategic sustainability
• Integrated transport consultancy
• Movement strategies
• Origination
• Public policy and government transformation
• Risk management
• Strategic insights
• Transaction advisory

Visit our innovation and expertise page to learn more about GHD’s expertise and service. Browse our official website to learn more about what we do. Together, let’s pursue sustainable growth.

Articles referenced

^{Emeritus 2023, ‘Here are the top 7 benefits of developing strong leadership skills’, retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://emeritus.org/in/learn/importance-of-leadership-in-management/}

^{Indeed 2023, ‘What is business leadership? Definition, skills of effective leaders’, retrieved June 22, 2023, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/business-leadership}

^{Pamela Reynolds, Harvard Department of Continuous Education, ‘Strategic Leadership- Professional Development,’ retrieved July 24, 2023 from https://www.extension.harvard.edu/professional-development/programs/strategic-leadership}