Strategic Leader as Strategic Communicator

摘要

In the 21st Century, no institution or enterprise can achieve its strategic goals without engaging with and shaping the information environment. Advanced portable technologies, the 24-hour global news cycle, live cable broadcasts, web-based media, and now round-the-clock web logging have conspired to create a leadership environment unparalleled in U.S. history. This is a leadership environment defined by worldwide visibility and opportunity. In this extraordinary climate, U.S. strategic leaders set the tone for the nation in terms of its national character and its strategic influence around the world. More so than policies or resources, the success or failure of the United States comes down to the individuals who lead it and their ability to communicate. Given this observation, several fundamental strategic leadership competencies stand out and deserve fresh examination. These competencies include defining a strategic vision; creating by personal example an organizational culture based on values, diversity, innovation, and integrity; and the commitment to personally represent the organization through aggressive internal and external communication. This paper reviews vision and culture as imperative foundations for strategic leadership, and ties those imperatives to what ultimately is the greatest force multiplier: strategic leader communication.