Ahead of the Curve Revised Edition: A Guide to Applied Strategic Thinking

by Steven J. Stowell, Stephanie S. Mead

People are discovering they are drowning in a sea of tactical activitiesand short-term operational demands. They find themselves left behind when the needs of their customers change. This book will show you how to allocate time and energy to think ahead, add value, and innovate for the future . It addresses the need to carve out time, learn to tame the operational beast, and get our strategic bearing in life. Today, managers and individual contributors alike are redefining what it means to truly be successful. People are discovering that too much emphasis is placed on the now; winning and performing current roles and activities. Many people in the workplace have discovered that they are drowning under the weight of tactical activities and short-term operational demands. This book will show you how to allocate some time and energy to think ahead, add value, and innovate for the future . To be exceptional, we need to be effective at both strategy and execution. We need to be great today and prepared to be great tomorrow. This means that we have to carve out some time, learn to tame the operational beast, and get our strategic bearing in life. Nearly all of the popular books, articles, and training focus on the grand strategic planning at the senior level. There is no question that many organizations have a need for high level corporate strategic planning. However, it is just as important to have everyone in the organization thinking strategically and applying these principles in their own world . If organizations want to be proactive and forward thinking , then its members at all levels will need to think about the future in entrepreneurial and innovative ways, especially in their individual areas of responsibility. The question is, how can team leaders, project managers, sales representatives, engineers, and others start thinking strategically? What skills are needed? How can one apply them at a practical level? How can organizations get their employees to be more innovative, look around corners, plan ahead, and bravely take on the future? This book is for anyone who is looking for answers to these questions, for those who want to be on track, in control, and prepared for the future. Through real life experiences, illustrated examples, and straightforward activities and tools , Ahead of the Curve will enlighten readers; cause them to think, plan, and act more strategically at the individual level and on the front lines of work.

Genres: Business, Leadership

146 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2005

About the author

Steven J. Stowell, Ph.D. is the Founder and President of the Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness (CMOE) and holds a doctorate in Organization Behavior from the University of Utah. Dr. Stowell founded CMOE in 1978 for the purpose of helping individuals and teams maximize their effectiveness and create strategic competitiveness.
During the past 30-plus years, Steve has consulted with both small and large corporations, government agencies, school systems, and non-profit organizations in 35 different countries and has designed and developed instructional course content covering over 30 leadership and management topics. Dr. Stowell is widely recognized as a subject-matter expert in strategy, leadership, and coaching.

Reviews

[Barbara Mauceri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very practical approach

The principles provided in the book are very easy to understand and easy to grasp. Once you read and understand that, the examples in your own life are numerous.

[Alexis Broussard · Rating 4 out of 5]

HRD Spring 2024: Strategic Thinking textbook. Really enjoyed the easy language, acronyms, and questions that helped the reader/student consider previous experiences and how the material could be applied in a professional setting!

[Jenna Gorsuch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good pointers in here but don't feel particularly inspired after reading. I was also extremely distracted by the number of icons and random quotes on every page.

[Lou Caniglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives you some good guidelines on how to think more strategically.