My Boss Says I’m Not Strategic Enough To Be Promoted

One of the most common pieces of feedback my clients get, when they are not successful for a leadership promotion, is that they aren’t presenting themselves as ‘strategic enough’.

And as a result, they aren’t seen as ‘leadership potential’…

Instead…

They are seen as a brilliant operator – a safe pair of hands who is reliable and competent – but just not seen as ready for leadership, yet.

How Do I Move From an Operational ‘Doer’ to a Strategic Thinker?

Maybe some of these thoughts reflect how you’re feeling right now?

• I speak too much in operational terms
• I’m seen as a ‘doer’ not a ‘leader’
• I struggle to think or talk strategically
• I feel pigeonholed and stuck in my current role
• I’m told I’m not leadership material

If you do feel stuck in a operational role you feel you have outgrown you might also be unsure how to change that.

A lot of my 1:1 coaching clients seek me out because they have been told they aren’t strategic enough – but they don’t know what that means, or how to fix it.

• What does it mean to be more strategic?
• What skills should I develop to be more strategic?
• What does being more strategic look like?

I’m Tired of Being Seen as a Doer and Not a Leader

And if you’re tired of being seen as a ‘doer’ and not a ‘leader’…

Feel trapped in your current role…

But you don’t know how to break free and show the world what you’re truly capable of…

The time has come to prioritise the development of this key skill.

The world needs doers and operational thinkers…

But if you want to move up into leadership, it’s critical to develop your critical and strategic thinking skills – or stay pigeonholed forever.

More resources:

From our podcast:

Ep 129 – How to Become a More Strategic Thinker

Ep 154 – Up Your Game! 3 Ways to Add Strategic value to your Meetings

Ep 183 – Stop Playing in the Weeds and Start Being More Strategic About Your Career 

From our blog:

3 Steps to Become More Strategic As A Leader