Vague 'Strategic' Feedback Causes Confusion in Organizations
Management's common directive to 'be more strategic' often leads to confusion among employees due to a lack of clear definitions within organizations.
Many managers instruct their teams to 'be more strategic' without defining the term, leading to uncertainty and performance anxiety among employees.
When an employee receives feedback to 'be more strategic' without specific guidance, they often don't understand what actions are required. They may avoid asking for clarification to avoid appearing uninformed, forcing them to seek general advice online.
'Strategic' is not a personality trait but a set of specific, teachable behaviors. These include prioritization, root cause analysis, second-order thinking, framing information for decision-makers, and connecting individual work to broader business objectives.
Managers should provide specific feedback, demonstrating what 'more strategic' looks like in the context of an employee's role. This can involve using real work examples and asking employees to explain how they would apply the concept to their current projects.
This lack of clear communication results in wasted resources as employees spend time guessing expectations rather than focusing on core tasks. Specific guidance is essential for fostering strategic thinking within an organization.