61. Strategic Planning and the Inward Journey - Leading Organizations That Matter

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: Leading Organizations That Matter

Episode 61: Strategic Planning and the Inward Journey
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Rey Spadoni

In episode 61 of Leading Organizations That Matter, host Rey Spadoni delves into the evolving landscape of strategic planning, emphasizing the growing importance of the inward journey for organizations, especially in the wake of recent global challenges and shifting workforce dynamics.

Introduction to Strategic Planning Evolution

Rey begins by reflecting on his extensive experience in strategic planning, noting significant shifts in both the process and mindset surrounding organizational strategy over the years. He underscores that while the foundational elements of strategic planning—such as goal setting and developing strategies and tactics—remain constant, the approach to these elements has transformed.

“The basics, of course, they're always there, goal setting, coming up with strategies and tactics and so forth.”
[00:30]

Impact of COVID-19 and Organizational Stress

A pivotal factor Rey identifies is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced substantial stress and uncertainty within organizations. This period forced many to reevaluate their strategies and operational models, leading to a more introspective approach.

“Covid and the related organizational stress that that caused could be an important culprit here.”
[01:00]

Generational Shifts and Employee Mindset

Rey highlights another critical driver: generational changes in the workforce. Younger employees today have different expectations regarding their roles and relationships with their employers. They seek greater transparency, engagement, and a sense of purpose in their work.

“Many of my consulting and coaching clients are seeking more input from their staff about what's good and maybe not so good about their organization.”
[01:45]

Incorporating Staff Feedback into Strategic Planning

Emphasizing the value of employee input, Rey discusses how organizations are increasingly involving their staff in the strategic planning process. This inclusion fosters a culture of openness and trust, as employees feel their voices are heard and valued.

“From my experience, this is being very warmly received by staff and increasing their engagement and trust in leadership.”
[02:20]

Overcoming Managerial Hesitations

Despite the benefits, some managers remain hesitant to incorporate internal feedback during strategic planning. They might prefer external insights or believe that existing employee engagement surveys are sufficient. Rey challenges this perspective, advocating for a more integrated approach.

“I certainly wouldn't argue against these points, but I do suggest that strategic planning is a unique and important time when you can include this inward journey.”
[03:00]

Benefits of an Inward Journey Approach

Rey outlines three key advantages of embracing an inward journey during strategic planning:

Significance of Employee Input: It signals to the entire organization that their contributions to the strategic plan are crucial.

“It makes a very important statement to everyone in the organization that their input into and understanding of the strategic plan is quite critical.”
[03:20]
Uncovering Underlying Issues: Engaging with staff can help identify and address hidden challenges that may hinder organizational success.

“It helps managers uncover underlying issues which could be limiting the organization's success.”
[03:40]
Meeting Generational Expectations: Younger generations demand more transparency and involvement from their leaders, making this approach essential for modern leadership.

“Younger generations expect more transparency from leaders than prior ones.”
[04:00]

Conclusion: Embracing the Inward Journey

Rey concludes by asserting that embarking on an inward journey is indispensable for effective strategic planning. It not only enhances employee engagement and trust but also aligns the organization’s mission with the values and insights of its workforce.

“Including staff in the strategic planning process can and should be an important component of leadership's approach.”
[04:20]

Final Thoughts

Rey wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to adopt this integrated approach to strategic planning to empower their organizations meaningfully. He also invites feedback and engagement from listeners, reinforcing his commitment to supporting leaders of mission-driven organizations.

“It's hard, if not impossible, to truly go on the inward journey without having done so.”
[04:40]

About the Host:
Rey Spadoni is dedicated to empowering organizations that matter by supporting their leaders. Through his extensive experience in consulting and coaching, Rey provides valuable insights into leadership challenges, organizational culture, and strategic planning. For more information, visit RedSailAdvisors.com.

Listen and Subscribe:
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Music Credit:
Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com

This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of introspection and employee engagement in strategic planning, offering actionable strategies for leaders aiming to navigate their organizations through changing times with purpose and resilience.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
Ray Spadoni
Foreign welcome to Leading Organizations that Matter podcast about how we find meaning, purpose and impact in our work. I'm your host Ray Spadoni and today's topic is Strategic Planning and the Inward Journey. I've been involved in many various forms of strategic planning for a long, long time and always find it interesting how the process and mindset of planning has shifted over the years. The basics, of course, they're always there, goal setting, coming up with strategies and tactics and so forth. But during the past few years, more and more organizations are taking the inward journey. Covid and the related organizational stress that that caused could be an important culprit here. But I also think that key, sometimes generationally based shifts in hiring and changes in the mindset of employees about their relationship to their jobs is more so a driver to this phenomenon. Many of my consulting and coaching clients are seeking more input from their staff about what's good and maybe not so good about their organization and then taking the courageous step of looking in the mirror and asking for feedback. Honest feedback. And in the best cases, executive teams are repeating back what they heard from employees to those employees. From my experience, this is being very warmly received by staff and increasing their engagement and trust in leadership. Everyone wants to be heard. Of course, there are some managers who will pause at the mention of this possibility, saying that strategic planning is the time to gain external, not internal, feedback. Additionally, they may feel that employee engagement surveys will suffice for this purpose. I certainly wouldn't argue against these points, but I do suggest that strategic planning is a unique and important time when you can include this inward journey. Why? First, I think it makes a very important statement to everyone in the organization that their input into and understanding of the strategic plan is quite critical. Second, it helps managers uncover underlying issues when which could be limiting the organization's success. And third, younger generations expect more transparency from leaders than prior ones. Including staff in the strategic planning process can and should be an important component of leadership's approach. It's hard, if not impossible, to truly go on the inward journey without having done so. Thanks for listening. I hope you'll consider leaving a five star review on Apple Podcasts or your platform of choice that will help others find us here. My mission is to help empower organizations that matter by supporting those who lead them. Feel free to learn more about me and my work@redsailadvisors.com SA.