ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Strategy is not planning. And being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being strategic.
In this episode of the Deep Leadership podcast, I’m joined by Charlie Curson, founder of Mandarin and author of the international bestselling book Be More Strategic. Charlie has spent more than 25 years helping leaders around the world develop their ability to think strategically and make better decisions in complex environments.
We discuss why so many leaders confuse strategy with planning, why operationally strong leaders can struggle when they move into strategic roles, and how strategic thinking is a capability that can be deliberately developed and practiced.
Charlie also explains why strategy requires making difficult choices, how pressure causes leaders to fall back into operational habits, and why listening, self-awareness, curiosity, and comfort with uncertainty are essential skills for strategic leaders.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The difference between strategy and planning
• Why strategy must come before planning and execution
• Why leaders become trapped in operational thinking
• How to develop strategic thinking as a leadership capability
• Why strategy requires deciding what not to do
• How short-term pressure can pull leaders away from strategy
• The importance of self-awareness and open-mindedness
• Why better listening leads to better strategic decisions
• How leaders can balance execution with long-term thinking
• Simple practices you can use to become more strategic
Charlie reminds us that strategic thinking isn’t something reserved for CEOs, consultants, or annual planning sessions. It is a leadership capability that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.
If you find yourself constantly reacting, solving the problem in front of you, and struggling to find time to think about where you’re actually going, this conversation is for you.
Connect with Charlie Curson:
Be More Strategic Book: https://amzn.to/4iW0x5p
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecurson/
Website: https://www.teammandarin.com/
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