When one mentions “strategic planning”, the immediate imagery that comes to mind for most is a long document filled with objectives, key performance indicators, and action items. While all these are essential elements, it’s important to realize that strategic planning goes far beyond just the plan itself.
The Cultural Impact of Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is not just a list of things to do; it’s an active, ongoing process that has a profound impact on an organization’s culture. It is a commitment to not only achieving specific goals but also to the manner in which they are achieved. The way we plan, prioritize, and strategize speaks volumes about our organization’s values, beliefs, and principles.
Ownership and Belonging Through Strategic Planning
The right strategic planning process can foster a sense of ownership and belonging among stakeholders. But how?
⚡ Top Tip: Next time you’re engaging a strategic planning consultant, don’t hesitate to ask them about their facilitation methods. Understanding the techniques used to engage various stakeholders can be the difference between a strategic plan that’s simply “good on paper” and one that genuinely resonates with those who are expected to execute it.
Achieving More THROUGH the Planning Process
Often, the outcomes we desire from a strategic plan can be enhanced by the very process through which the plan is developed.
🌈 Curiosity Point: Engage your strategic planning consultant in a conversation about the potential achievements your organization can unlock THROUGH their strategic planning process. This will offer clarity on the multi-dimensional benefits of the process beyond the obvious outputs.
Strategically Planning for Culture
It is essential to recognize that culture doesn’t just happen. It’s built, cultivated, and shaped through deliberate efforts. The strategic planning process provides a platform to proactively mold the culture you envision for your organization.
🕐 Takeaway: Make it an integral agenda to use your strategic planning process as a tool to design and reinforce the organizational culture you desire.
Final Thoughts
The next time strategic planning is on your radar, see it as more than a chore or a managerial obligation. Embrace it as an opportunity to reinforce or even redefine your organization’s culture. Because, in the end, while strategies might steer the ship, it’s the culture that powers it.
Feel intrigued? Want to delve deeper into making strategic planning a potent cultural tool? Email Beth Ellen to explore more on this!
Strategic Planning: More Than Just a Plan, It’s a Cultural Blueprint
