Sometimes the river flows East and sometimes the river flows West: Leadership and Strategic Thinking

John Cousins
February 7, 2023
2 min read

Leadership requires strategic thinking. This requires continuously monitoring the external environment and being ready with revising tactics to meet your strategic goals. It requires consistency and discipline to remain true to the plan, as well as the flexibility to change both plan and strategy when circumstances change.

Leaders must have a level of comfort with change and ambiguity. Leaders need to develop the ability to objectively assess the changing needs of the organization and its stakeholders.

The Chinese have a saying,

sometimes the river flows East and sometimes the river flows West.

Things change with time and different ways of perception emerge. We must be aware of these changes and go with the flow. In order to follow the course of your life, you must let it flow.

The ability to detect emerging patterns and help them take shape is an important attribute of leadership.

A leader needs a passionate vision, skills to communicate that vision, and strategic thinking and implementation skills to make that vision reality. Focus on keeping things moving forward. Leaders are obligated to provide and maintain the momentum.

You will ultimately learn leadership and how to wield it by being in thrall to a compelling vision of the future that you want to actively participate in. It will act like a natural force like gravity and will guide you like a pole star. If you can articulate your vision to yourself and others convincingly, they will follow you and you will follow it.

Share this post
John Cousins
Author, Entrepreneur, & Teacher

Receive my 7 day email course

Take your finance skills to the next level with my 7-day corporate finance email course. You'll learn all the essential topics from financial analysis to risk management in a fun, engaging format. Each day, you'll receive an email with practical examples, exercises and resources. Perfect for aspiring finance pros or anyone looking to expand their knowledge. Get ready to transform your finance game!

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

If you like this article. Here are some more articles I think you might like.

Entrepreneurship

AIDA Marketing Framework: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action

This isn’t about the famous opera by Verdi. Its about Marketing.
John Cousins
November 14, 2023
4 min read
Personal Growth

A Pause for the Cause: Don’t get mad, don’t get even, Get What You Want.

Pause and breath. You can’t unring a bell. Don’t say things when you are hot that you will later regret.
John Cousins
November 14, 2023
1 min read
Personal Growth

Embracing the Suck: A Path to an Easier Life

Avoiding challenges in life is like trying to toast bread with a flashlight. It’s a bright idea, but it won’t get you far.
John Cousins
November 14, 2023
4 min read