Strategic Leadership's Rival: The Crucial Impact of Tactical Leadership
In the dynamic world we live in, leadership is a crucial element for success. One particular form of leadership that stands out is tactical leadership, a concept that shines brightest in challenging situations.
Tactical leadership, as demonstrated by the classic example of medical triage, is a prime example of strategic decision-making. Tactical leaders, much like triage leads, sort through the chaos, categorising individuals based on their immediate needs - those who don't require help now, those who do, and those whose situation is beyond salvage.
Tactical leaders are the backbone of any organisation, making constant choices about deploying and adjusting resources in real time to ensure things happen. They are the front line supervisors, crew foremen, and engagement leads who work at the coal face, on the shop floor, in the trenches, managing tasks in real time and accountable for short-term results.
Successful tactical leadership, however, is not a solitary endeavour. It thrives in an environment where tactical leaders are inspired, enabled, and empowered by their counterparts. Cultural, strategic, and operational leaders play a pivotal role by providing resources and guidelines. They filter the direction from above, making it easy to understand the most important guidelines, and creating the space for tactical leaders to operate.
Neville Isdell, former Group President of Coca-Cola Europe, exemplified this approach. Instead of making decisions himself, he enabled his team, particularly the field sales force, by granting them more decision-making freedom. This empowerment led to increased productivity and success.
In times of crisis, tactical leaders should give way to crisis leaders. Crisis leaders, like change leaders, work alongside tactical leaders, inspiring, enabling, and empowering rather than controlling. They help tactical leaders navigate through turbulent times, ensuring the organisation emerges stronger.
The Power Information Network, for instance, invested heavily in analytical capabilities and outsourced database management during a strategic choice. This move allowed their tactical leaders to make informed decisions, contributing to the organisation's overall success.
The article underscores the importance of all leadership arenas inspiring, enabling, and empowering tactical leaders, and holding them accountable for real, tangible short-term results. After all, it is the tactical leaders and their teams who ultimately win or lose the game, not the cultural, strategic, or operational leaders.
Culture, too, plays a significant role in this equation. It is considered the only sustainable competitive advantage, according to the article. A strong, supportive culture encourages innovation, fosters resilience, and drives success.
In the case of Volkswagen, however, culture took a hit. Their four values, which included social responsibility and sustainability, were violated in their emission test scandal, tarnishing their reputation and undermining their competitive advantage.
In conclusion, tactical leadership is a vital component in achieving success. It is a balancing act between making the right decisions, embracing change, and being held accountable. By fostering an environment that supports and empowers tactical leaders, organisations can navigate through challenges, innovate, and ultimately thrive.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Trump's Policies: Tariffs, AI, Surveillance, and Possible Martial Law
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
