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This book covers a wide range of managerial problems that leaders may encounter in business, often in unexpected or incomplete ways. Varied essays depict complex situations that organisational leaders encountered and had to resolve. The leadership challenge is to develop meta-skills for thinking strategically about them and then make sound business decisions in the face of uncertainty. Leaders usually confront opportunities and challenges in muddled fashions and their main task is to size them up properly and respond with creativity and wisdom. These leadership challenges require integrative thinking and creative problem solving skills of a kind that is nurtured through hard won experience in the trenches. The kaleidoscopic flavor of this collection of essays reflects a holistic and realistic view of leadership in varied situations that call for innovative strategic thinking, reflective problem reframing, and smart decision making alone and in teams.
Most boards and leadership teams deal with a relentless flow of surprises that increases the uncertainty they must manage. This book offers sturdy handrails for navigating and profiting from this mounting turmoil and unpredictability. Paul Schoemaker draws from his deep experience to make a compelling case for being open to different perspectives from diverse minds. By absorbing and applying his insights, leaders will be better prepared to avoid the pitfalls of focusing too narrowly or overlooking the broader strategic challenges.—George S. Day, Geoffrey T. Boisi Emeritus Professor, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
This meticulously curated collection of articles by Paul Schoemaker is a much-needed portal into a wealth of insights linking strategic thinking and planning with strategic action. This book is an ideal “practitioner guide” for leaders seeking to enhance their organization’s resilience and adaptive capabilities. A pressing leadership challenge today is to see and shape the future strategically while also “triaging” immediate challenges—be they competitive, geo-political, technological, regulatory, etc.—Govi Rao, CEO, Phase Change Solutions and Founding Partner of the Carbon Group Global, USA.
This comprehensive book is neither one idea elaborated with the author’s personal experiences nor fashionably clothed conventional wisdom. It is unconventional, counterintuitive wisdom, with many compelling business examples.—J. Edward Russo, SC Johnson Family Professor of Management Emeritus at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, USA.
This book showcases Schoemaker’s brilliant insights into proactive leadership in turbulent times. His unconventional wisdom provides a masterful roadmap for entrepreneurial leaders to parry threats and transform challenges into opportunities. Schoemaker’s genius shines in his approach to learning from failure and seeing future changes sooner. This pragmatic book offers leaders a crucial edge in anticipating the future and staying ahead.—Toomas H. Truumees, Founder and CEO of Burnout Anticipation Technologies, USA.
Paul Schoemaker has been a trailblazer guiding organizational learning, innovation, and leadership in uncertain environments for four decades. In this book, he masterfully curates his writings for business leaders with unparalleled insight and clarity. A must-read for anyone serious about the art and science of leading organizations in today’s turbulent world, teeming with exciting opportunities and existential threats.—Shardul Phadnis, Associate Professor, Asia School of Business, Malaysia.
Former Research Director of Mack Institute for Innovation Management at the Wharton School, where he taught strategy and decision making, as he did earlier at the University of Chicago’s graduate school of business. He was also a founder, CEO, director or Chairman of more than ten companies, serving hundreds of organizations and leaders around the world.
Acknowledgments; Preview of the Three Book Parts; Introduction; PART I STRATEGY, PLANNING, AND UNCERTAINTY, CHAPTER 1 Strategic Thinking ; CHAPTER 2 Business Planning ; CHAPTER 3 Fostering Foresight ; CHAPTER 4 Managing Talent; CHAPTER 5 Navigating Uncertainty; PART II INNOVATION, FAILURE, AND LEARNING ; CHAPTER 6 Improving Innovation; CHAPTER 7 Managing Customers; CHAPTER 8 Thriving on Failures; CHAPTER 9 Power of Metaphors; CHAPTER 10 Varied Lessons; PART III LEADERSHIP, DECIDING, AND BIASES; CHAPTER 11 Strategic Leadership; CHAPTER 12 Board Governance ; CHAPTER 13 Team Performance ; CHAPTER 14 Decision Making; CHAPTER 15 Reducing Bias; Epilogue; Appendices; Index