Strategic Leadership: Key principles of effective leadership & strategy Bob de Wit Professor of Strategic Leadership, Open Universiteit Director, Strategy Works / Strategy Academy Rotterdam

© Strategy Academy Page 2 Agenda 1.Introducing Strategy Academy & Open Universiteit cooperation 2.Strategic leadership principles 3.International leadership program

© Strategy Academy Page 3 Agenda 1.Introducing Strategy Academy & Open Universiteit cooperation 2.Strategic leadership principles 3.International leadership program

© Strategy Academy Page 4 Flagship publications The authors carefully guide the readers through the many, often conflicting, perspectives in the field of strategy, in order to help them become critical and creative strategic thinkers.

© Strategy Academy Page 5 De Wit & Meyer is an international consulting, training, coaching & research company, dedicated to improving our clients corporate strategy, corporate leadership, corporate renewal and corporate learning Strategy Academy Research Strategy Academy Research is the vehicle for scientific research, in cooperation with universities and business schools Strategy Works. Strategy Works is an international strategy consulting and coaching firm, specialized in facilitating boardroom decision-making and guiding companies through processes of strategic renewal. Strategy Academy Institutional Strategy Academy serves companies, universities and business schools with tailored management education programs. Our mission: Rigor & Relevance

© Strategy Academy Page 6 Strategy Academy & … International Strategic Leadership Program Strategy Academy Executive Executive PhD Program Strategy Academy Research

© Strategy Academy Page 7 Agenda 1.Introducing Strategy Academy & Open Universiteit cooperation 2.Strategic leadership principles 3.International leadership program

© Strategy Academy Page 8 Next Level of Leadership Higher expectations and pressure on improved results; Higher levels of complexity and ambiguity; Increased information overload; Incompatible and even contradicting information; And a variety of opinions and perspectives….. …require effective leadership and leaders who stretch their glass ceilings of leadership on permanent basis

© Strategy Academy Page 9 Key Questions for Leaders 1.WHAT CREATES GLASS CEILINGS OF LEADERSHIP? 2.WHERE IS YOUR GLASS CEILING OF LEADERSHIP? 3.WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STRETCH YOUR CEILING? 4.ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP YOUR MENTAL SEAT BELTS TO REACH A HIGHER LEVEL?

© Strategy Academy Page 10 From my perspective to bridging Rational Reasoning Perspective Generative Reasoning Perspective Great leaders: Great leaders have the ability and capabilities to bridge differences of opinion, preference and interests at a higher level (Collins & Porras) 21 ST Century leaders This goes beyond professional competence. It relates to personal development objectives and ambitions (Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner) Strategic Leaders: Strategic leaders have the ability and capabilities to apply great leadership principles on strategic issues and tensions (De Wit & Meyer)

© Strategy Academy Page 11 Managing Tensions as Paradoxes Engineering Economizing Politicizing Strategizing

© Strategy Academy Page 12 Corporate Level Strategy Perspectives Portfolio Organization Perspective Integrated Organization Perspective Synergy: Multi-business companies must exploit synergies between businesses to create competitive advantage. Multi-country companies must exploit global synergies to create competitive advantage. Responsiveness: Businesses must remain responsive to market changes. Businesses must remain responsive to local differences SynergySynergy Responsiveness

© Strategy Academy Page 13 Strategic leaders take a dialectical approach Range of ideas Points of contention Stimulus for bridging Stimulus for creativity Presenting opposite perspectives frame the full set of views that exist on the topic The ´contrast function´ of opposite ideas is that it brings points of contention into sharper focus The ´integrative function´ of presenting opposite ides is that it stimulates readers to seek a way of getting the best of both worlds The ´generative function´ of presenting opposite ideas is that it stimulates innovative ideas

© Strategy Academy Page 14 Key principles for effective leadership Stretching your glass ceiling of leadership means: Knowing yourself and accepting the way it is Overcoming your own perspective (opinion, interest, preference, etc) Understanding others perspectives (strengths, advantages) Embracing the differences (great youre different, lets explore) Developing capabilities to bridge differences and contradictions Deciding it is worth giving up mental seatbelts

© Strategy Academy Page 15 Agenda 1.Introducing Strategy Academy & Open Universiteit cooperation 2.Strategic leadership principles 3.International leadership program

© Strategy Academy Page 16 The International Strategic Leadership Program Format: blended learning Self-study & network meetings Philosophy: rigor & relevance Readings & practical cases Goals: Personal & Professional Profiler feedback & tools Work & life balance 20 EC of personal & group work Program: 9 blocks 1.Kick-off 2.Personal strategy style 3.Intercultural differences 4.International perspectives 5.International organizations 6.International context 7.Organizational purpose 8.Personal leadership style 9.Graduation paper

© Strategy Academy Page 17 Leaders Dealing with Strategic Tensions V

© Strategy Academy Page 18 Strategists Dealing with Leadership Tensions

THANK YOU! DISCUSSION