304 How to Apply Strategic Thinking at All Levels to Set Direction and Achieve Sustainable Competitive Advantage with Rich Horwath | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli interviews strategic thinking expert Rich Horwath, author of six books on strategy, including his latest Strategic: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence.

Rich shares his decades of expertise, shining a light on common pitfalls that executives and leadership teams face as they approach strategic planning. He then outlines his practical 3A framework – Acumen, Allocation, Action – that leaders at any level can use to begin thinking and behaving more strategically daily.

The conversation explores important concepts around strategic agility, competitive advantage, customer insight, and leading change during times of greater uncertainty. With so many models and approaches promising the "secret formula" to developing winning strategic plans, Rich cuts through the noise with relevant and impactful principles and perspectives.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Learn why strategic plans often lack traction and how to avoid pitfalls
• Discover a simple yet powerful model for strategic thinking
• Identify key blindspots even seasoned leaders have around strategy
• Understand how competitive advantage stems from being different, not better
• See why you must create space for strategic reflection
• Gain insight on customer needs versus feedback
• Find out why continual iterations matter more than annual planning
• Hear how to leverage AI and data for strategic advantage
• Foster strategic thinking at all levels of an organization
• Use a tactical approach to uncover opportunities

Partnering Leadership Episodes Referenced

Innovative Thinking & Strategy by Tapping Into the Science of Subtraction with University of Virginia Professor Leidy Klotz

Winning the Right Game: How to Disrupt, Defend, and Deliver in a Changing World with Ron Adner

Leading Through The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence with Professor Ajay Agrawal

How to Lead and Innovate by Learning from The Amazon Way with John Rossman

Connect with Rich Horwath

Strategy Skills Website

Rich Horwath on LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website