Self-Assessment for Leadership Strategic Intelligence: Evaluating Your Potential
In the evolving landscape of strategic leadership, there is yet to be an established tool for measuring strategic intelligence. However, in his book “Narcissistic Leaders: Who Succeeds and Who Fails,” Michael Maccoby outlines several reflective questions to help leaders self-assess their strategic intelligence. The true test of a leader’s potential lies within the workplace environment. Let’s explore the key dimensions of strategic intelligence through the following self-assessment questions:
Foresight: How effectively do you track and understand marketplace trends? Are you adept at envisioning innovative products, services, and future paradigms?
Systems Thinking: Do you perceive the world through an interconnected lens, synthesizing information, and integrating feedback and possibilities that seem beyond immediate comprehension?
Visioning: Are you skilled at transforming ideas into actionable visions with clear and measurable objectives?
Motivating: How proficiently do you inspire others to embrace and implement your vision? Can you rally your team around your goals effectively?
Partnering: How well do you cultivate strategic partnerships, both within your organization and externally? Do you view alliances as mutually beneficial and encourage collaboration?
In today’s complex business environment, there is a significant need for bold, visionary leaders. Productive narcissists, capable of leading companies through uncertainty, innovation, and transition, are crucial to navigating the 21st century’s challenges. As Maccoby argues, steering narcissistic leaders toward developing their strategic intelligence is key to preventing leadership derailment. He contrasts this with the conservative, by-the-numbers leadership styles that often shy away from necessary risk-taking and innovation—a stance deeply influenced by the specific business context.
Consider the success of someone like Steve Jobs at Apple. Despite criticisms regarding his lack of emotional intelligence, his efficacy as CEO may well be attributed to his strengths as a productive narcissist, combined with his adept strategic intelligence. This pattern holds true for other influential leaders of the past two decades, such as Jack Welch, Bill Gates, Andy Grove, Larry Ellison, Richard Branson, and Herb Kelleher. Each displays robust personalities with productive, narcissistic tendencies that fuel innovation and business triumphs.
Given the immense social and economic implications, understanding leadership personalities—including the strategic value brought by narcissistic leaders—is critically necessary. These leaders’ unique capabilities can propel businesses toward success, especially when harnessed correctly.
Your Thoughts Matter
Leadership personality is an essential factor in crafting business success for the decade ahead. As companies adapt to dynamic changes, are strong personalities and innovative thinkers valued and advanced within your organization? I invite your insights and experiences on how your company recognizes and rewards forward-thinking leadership. I would love to hear your perspective on this important topic.
Creator of the KASHBOX: Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, Habits
Helping You Realize Your Potential
I help people discover their potential, expand and develop the skills and attitudes necessary to achieve a higher degree of personal and professional success and create a plan that enables them to balance the profit motives of their business with the personal motives of their lives.
