Welcome to the next article in our series, where we are focussing on key areas of impactful leadership. At The Change Arc, we notice that leading change isn’t always about the big ideas or compelling communication (although these areas are crucial), but it’s also about having a practical set of skills to turn that big idea into reality.

In our last article, we explored resilience and how it’s sometimes more about adaptability than endurance. Today, we’re shifting gears and looking at Strategic Management. The ability to think ahead, structure action, and make decisions that actually move the needle.

The Strategy Trap: Why Some Leaders Get Stuck

Drowning in the day-to-day? constantly reacting?  always busy and rarely moving forward in a meaningful way? Does any of this ring a bell?

Some consider strategy as long, complex plans that never survive first contact with reality. Others think it’s about making a single big decision and hoping it pays off.  Plenty of leaders get so focused on execution that they never take the time to step back and ask if they’re even going in the right direction.

Strategy isn’t about planning—it’s about choices.

The best leaders don’t waste time obsessing over perfect plans. They make deliberate choices about what to prioritise, what to ignore, and how to create momentum. They build systems that adapt.

Strategic leaders connect the dots, spot patterns, and make decisions based on what will drive results as opposed to what feels urgent in the moment.

Where we sometimes go wrong? believing that more planning equals better strategy.

In our view, it doesn’t.

Some of the best strategies are simple, and designed to pivot when new information comes in. Overly complex plans kill agility and just create an illusion of control.

Another trap? Trying to do everything at once.

A great strategist ruthlessly prioritises and makes trade-offs, deciding what not to do, just as much as what to focus on. If you’re chasing every opportunity, you’re probably hurting your impact.

Finally, there are many leaders who delay decision-making in the name of gathering more data. Impactful leaders balance analysis with action. They know when they have enough information to move forward and adjust as they go.

Ways to Level Up Your Strategic Management

Want to become a sharper strategic leader? Try these:

✅ Think in bets, not blueprints – Strategy isn’t a rigid roadmap; it’s a series of informed bets. Approach decisions with flexibility—test, learn, and refine instead of waiting for the ‘perfect’ plan.

✅ Prioritise like a strategist, not an operator – If everything is urgent, nothing is strategic. Ask yourself: What’s the one thing that will make everything else easier or unnecessary? Focus on that first.

✅ Turn strategy into action – A great strategy means nothing if it doesn’t translate into progress. So keep your eye on the prize and “get doing”. Create fast feedback loops so you can track progress, adjust, and keep momentum.

What’s Next?

Strategic Management is one piece of the puzzle. We know the most effective leaders develop a broad skill set or understand themselves well enough to surround themselves with others that have complimentary skills to fill the gaps.

If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership approach, the Impact Readiness Index is a great starting point. It helps you assess where you stand across the eight key leadership domains and can give you a picture of your strengths and where to focus next.

👉 Take the Impact Readiness Index today for free to get a personalised report on your leadership strengths and opportunities.

At The Change Arc, we work with leaders and teams to build the skills that drive real influence and impact. If you’re ready to explore how we can support your leadership journey, find out more about our work here.

About the Author

Iain Fowler is the Co-Founder of The Change Arc, helping leaders and teams build influence and impact. With a background in strategy, leadership development, and communication, he works with leaders to define and activate value, sharpen their leadership brand, and deliver real-world results.