When we think of leaders, we think of someone who has vision. He has the “big picture”. He knows where he is going.

The difference between the strategic view and the tactical view is quite straight-forward. The tactical is concerned with the here and now, while the strategic view takes into consideration the longer term. If you have heard the saying “Win the battle, lose the war”; then you get a vague idea of this.

But having a vision is good, so what is this about “strategic competency”? Isn’t is strange to think that you have to be competent to know where you want to go?

Strategic competency is arguably the cornerstone of leadership. Without this, there is no leader. Even the situational leaders have some kind of end-goal in mind. That is precisely why a leader needs stategic competence. Anyone can have a goal. However, a good leader not only has a goal, but sticks to it. The whole world could be going one way, but the leader pushes on towards his own goals.

The ability to do that, the tenacity to hold on to the strategic goal; that is strategic competence. Too often, weak leader let go of their plans in the midst of opposing views. When the going gets tough, some people go – away. Too often, leaders get stymied by negative opinions, resistance to change and even simple lethargy. People like to stick to the “good old ways” and leaders find this one of the greatest challenge.

Strategic competence is the ability to put all the other leadership competencies together, weave them into a powerful, compelling force. The leader not only must be able to see the end-goal, he must be able to communicate it, work out a plan, gather the necessary resources and skills; and to last the distance.