Charting Your Leadership Course in the New Year

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Have you noticed it? It happens every year. Media outlets or industry publications disseminates insights and trends that they think all companies, leaders, HR professionals should pay attention to or follow. Be wary of online titles “X trends that company leaders need to know”, “top strategies HR leaders need to implement”, and so on.

As a new year approaches, leaders may find themselves at a critical juncture — a moment to reflect on the past, learn from industry trends, and chart a course for the future. While media outlets offer a plethora of advice on what companies should focus on in the coming year, there’s a compelling case for leaders to resist the one-size-fits-all approach and, instead, craft a unique path tailored to their organization’s distinct needs and aspirations.

The Pitfalls of Following Media Advice for Strategy Setting

Blindly adhering to generalized advice poses several risks. Here’s why:

1. Lack of Specificity

Media advice is often broad and may not directly address the nuanced challenges and opportunities unique to your organization. Every company is different and should be in order to be competitive in the market.

2. Delayed Implementation

By the time trends become media fodder, they may already be in the implementation phase for many companies. Following suit may mean playing catch-up rather than gaining a competitive edge.

3. Misalignment with Organizational Culture

Advice that doesn't align with your company's values and culture may lead to initiatives that feel forced and lack authenticity. It may also cause the forgetting of who your customer base is and what they truly are looking for in products or services.

Considerations for Charting Your Own Course

1. Tailored Solutions

Leaders are in the best position to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their organizations. Crafting a unique strategy will allow the organization to address specific needs and remain on a competitive pathway.

2. Agility and Adaptability

In rapidly changing environments, the ability to adapt swiftly is a competitive advantage. A customized approach allows for agility in response to evolving circumstances.

3. Authenticity and Employee Engagement

Employees resonate with initiatives that align with the company's core values. A personalized strategy fosters authenticity, driving higher levels of employee engagement.

4. Innovation and Creativity

Following the crowd limits the potential for innovative thinking. Charting your own course encourages creativity and out-of-the-box solutions.

5. Ownership of Outcomes

Leaders who chart their own course take ownership of their decisions and outcomes, fostering accountability and a sense of direction within the organization.

How Leaders Can Craft Their Path in the New Year

1. Reflect on Past Performance

Analyze the successes and challenges of the previous year to gain insights for future decision-making.

2. Engage Stakeholders

Involve key stakeholders, including employees and customers, in the strategic planning process. Their perspectives offer valuable insights. Ask them what is important to them.

3. Set Clear Objectives

Define clear, measurable objectives that align with the organization's mission and vision. This provides a roadmap for success.

4. Prioritize Flexibility

Acknowledge the uncertainty of the business landscape and build flexibility into the strategic plan to adapt to unforeseen challenges.

5. Stay True to Organizational Values

Ensure that every initiative aligns with the core values of the organization. This authenticity resonates with both employees and customers.

8. Measure and Monitor

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of initiatives. Regularly review progress and be willing to iterate strategies based on results.

Wrapping it up

In the new year, organizational heroes will buck following generic advice and chart their own course. Savvy leaders will ignore the noise and look for customized pathways that best serve the customer base. In this new year, will leadership success grit be you?

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Tresha Moreland

Tresha Moreland is a 30-year organizational effectiveness and strategic workforce planning expert. She partners with business leaders to develop workplace strategies that achieve best-in-class results. She has held key organizational leadership roles in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Tresha is the founder and principal consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC (www.hrcsuite.com). HR C-Suite is a results-based HR strategy resource dedicated to connecting HR with business results. She has received a master’s degree in human resource management (MS) and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). She has also earned a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP) Certification. She is also recognized as a Fellow with the American College Healthcare Executives with a FACHE designation.