Strategic Focus Self-Assessment Comments
Definition: Strategic focus is the ability to analyze complex challenges, determine the best approach to achieving organizational goals, and proactively address risks that impact operations. It involves scanning internal and external environments, formulating corporate-level strategies, and aligning projects with the company's vision, mission, and values to ensure long-term success. Effective strategic focus mobilizes leadership to implement change, coordinate cross-functional teams, and leverage SWOT analysis to refine decision-making and drive sustainable growth.
Survey Questionnaires with Strategic Focus:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)

The statements below can be used in your self-assessment (self-feedback) or performance appraisal as examples to demonstrate your "strategic focus skills". Having good strategic focus skills means analyzing the situation, identifying the issue, creating a strategy and implementing that strategy.
Strategic AnalysisStrategic Analysis focuses on evaluating external and internal factors to identify competitive advantages, assess risks, and support data-driven decision-making. This dimension highlights analyzing industry trends, conducting competitor assessments, leveraging strategic tools (e.g., value chain analysis), identifying weaknesses, and understanding potential threats. It prioritizes assessment and intelligence-gathering, ensuring that organizations make well-informed, evidence-based strategic choices.
- I looked for opportunities to enhance contributions to the bottom line.
- I sustained or achieved a competitive advantage for the organization by analyzing the best practices and lessons learned from other organizations.
- I was effective in using strategic tools such as value chain analysis, business environment analysis, and competitor analysis.
- I analyzed the environment and developed strategies to achieve competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- I incorporated data to support strategic decision making.
- I considered risks and reward when making key decisions.
- I lead teams responsible for analyzing competitive weaknesses within the organization.
- I considered the implications of decisions made and possible effects on the organization.
- I analyzed the organization's competitive advantages and threats.
- I addressed complex and ambiguous problems.
Strategic ThinkingStrategic Thinking emphasizes developing innovative approaches, refining strategies, and determining the best course of action to achieve organizational goals. This dimension centers on resource optimization, improving efficiency, aligning strategies with financial objectives, understanding company positioning, and maintaining long-term focus. It prioritizes vision and planning, ensuring leaders proactively shape the future direction of their organization.
- I understood and contribute to development of strategic goals.
- I determined the best approach to achieving desired goals.
- I used strategic thinking to make better strategic decisions.
- I developed a strategic focus on internal factors to improve efficiency or conserve limited resources.
- I developed strategies to effectively use company resources and exploit potential opportunities.
- I understood how to achieve strategic financial objectives.
- I understood the organization's competitive advantages and threats.
- I understood the position of the [Company] in the current market place and industry.
- I determined what actions are needed to maintain broad strategy for the department/organization.
AwarenessAwareness focuses on identifying key strategic factors, risks, and opportunities that shape the organization's ability to compete and grow. This dimension highlights recognizing competitive strengths, analyzing market positioning, assessing operational bottlenecks, and understanding external influences that affect success. It prioritizes insight and strategic recognition, ensuring leaders proactively identify areas for improvement and innovation.
- I identified the role of each department in meeting the strategic goals.
- I identified ways in which the company was better able to meet the customers' needs than rivals.
- I identified business strategies to strengthen competitive capabilities.
- I identified and understood competitors in the marketplace.
- I identified areas where return on investment can be improved.
- I identified sources for developing a global competitive advantage for the company.
- I identified bottlenecks in the production process and develops strategies to correct these issues.
- I identified and addressed strategic risks impacting operations.
- I identified strengths that competitors would have trouble imitating.
- I identified and focused resources on strategic growth opportunities.
- I maintained a strategic focus on external factors impacting the success of the company.
Scanning/MonitoringScanning/Monitoring emphasizes actively tracking performance metrics, market trends, and organizational developments to support continuous strategy refinement. This dimension centers on monitoring financial objectives, adjusting plans based on new information, overseeing progress toward milestones, and scanning external and internal environments for opportunities. It prioritizes evaluation and adaptability, ensuring the organization remains responsive to changing dynamics while sustaining strategic momentum.
- I monitored performance of each market within the Area, utilizing reports to ensure sales growth, cost management, and profitability targets are met.
- I understood the importance of developing strategic capabilities.
- I scanned both the internal and external environment to identify strategic opportunities to improve the organization.
- I made plans to handle unforeseen events that could impact the achievement of strategic goals.
- I scanned the environment for opportunities to exploit.
- I created measures of performance and profitability to assess financial objectives.
- I monitored company performance and made adjustments to the strategic plan as needed.
- I recognized the need for strategically developing unique capabilities.
- I assigned individuals the responsibility of keeping track of progress toward achieving milestones.
- I acted upon relevant information affecting the organization.
Vision/Mission/Values StatementsVision/Mission/Values Statements focuses on defining the organization's foundational principles, purpose, and long-term aspirations. This dimension highlights articulating the company's mission, setting strategic objectives, ensuring alignment with business goals, inspiring employees to adopt the vision, and forming partnerships that align with core values. It prioritizes identity and alignment, ensuring that teams operate under a shared vision and strategic framework.
- I aligned projects to the strategic goals of the company.
- I ensured that the department's goals were strategically aligned with the company's goals.
- I pursued strategic alliances with valued partners.
- I understood how to grow the business and increase customers.
- I developed a strategic vision for the future.
- I let employees know how their roles contributed toward the achievement of strategic company objectives.
- I created a mission statement describing the purpose for the organization.
- I created a vision for the organization based on how the organization should appear in the future.
- I developed an organizational strategy for each functional area within the mission statement.
- I created a values statement to ensure all employees are working under the same guiding principles.
- I set strategic objectives to be achieved.
- I inspired employees to adopt the strategic plan.
Creating a StrategyCreating a Strategy emphasizes developing actionable plans to achieve competitive advantage, operational success, and adaptability in a changing environment. This dimension centers on formulating business strategies, improving performance, pursuing innovation, assessing resource allocation, and responding to external market shifts. It prioritizes execution and competitive positioning, ensuring the company maintains growth and effectiveness while adapting to industry demands.
- I created plans to develop and promote organizational and area strengths, as well as to address weaknesses.
- I determined the best strategy for achieving elevated levels of performance.
- I created a strategy to pursue and maintain a competitive advantage in business.
- I was able to formulate strategy at the corporate level.
- I gave adequate consideration to the time and resources available.
- I created strategic objectives to increase revenue and profit margins.
- I created a strategy to achieve departmental objectives.
- I created innovative strategies.
- I developed a strategic plan to focus on strategic issues.
- I ensured the department had a viable strategy for moving forward.
- I developed a strategic plan for adapting the organization to better respond to external changes in the marketplace.
- I developed strategies to seek new opportunities.
- I developed a corporate strategy to establish business operations in different locations.
- I developed strategies that were practical and could be feasibly implemented within a reasonable period of time.
- I developed strategies to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
- I determined a strategy for advancing the department.
- I created effective and strategic plans to address issues facing the department/organization.
- I used the organization's goals to guide (or influence) the development of goals within the department.
ImplementationImplementation focuses on translating strategic goals into action, ensuring that plans are effectively executed, and aligning teams and resources toward success. This dimension highlights communicating objectives, coordinating execution with stakeholders, setting deadlines, evaluating progress, and proactively addressing issues to ensure strategy is carried out smoothly. It prioritizes execution and operational alignment, ensuring that the strategic vision is put into practice.
- I communicated goals and objectives to employees.
- I declined a poor strategy by proposing alternate strategies.
- I made sure employees understood the strategy and goals.
- I reinforced the strategic messaging in various teams, meetings, seminars and workshops.
- I communicated the company's strategic goals and decisions to teams and departments.
- I made sure the objectives are clearly communicated and understood.
- I evaluated and reviewed the implementation of the strategic plan to ensure achievement of the objectives.
- I successfully implemented the strategic plan.
- I coordinated the implementation of the strategy with stakeholders.
- I strategically positioned resources to meet the needs of branch locations.
- I strategically positioned resources to meet the needs of field based employees.
- I made sure that all departments/teams are contributing toward the success of the strategy.
- I created deadlines for various components of the strategy.
- I implemented and executed the company's strategy for advancing production capabilities.
- I turned strategic priorities into action plans.
- I strategically deployed resources to areas of the greatest need.
- I effectively translated strategy into operational decisions.
- I strategically responded to unforeseen issues.
- I communicated goals and objectives to others.
- I proactively addressed problems and issues.
- I executed strategies to benefit the organization.
- I communicated a broad picture, overall view, of the organization.
- I executed strategies to benefit the department.
ChangeChange focuses on proactively adjusting strategies, staying ahead of industry shifts, and modifying plans to respond to evolving business environments. This dimension highlights anticipating market disruptions, making quick strategic decisions, aligning teams to new priorities, and maintaining flexibility in execution. It prioritizes agility and responsiveness, ensuring that companies remain competitive by continuously refining their approach.
- I made quick and creative decisions to adjust the strategy to meet the demands of changing situations.
- I supported changes being recommended from senior management.
- I made strategic decisions that took into account a dynamic situation.
- I modified strategic decisions depending on changes in the business environment.
- I made strategic changes to stay ahead of changes in the business environment.
- I detected changes in the environment and updated the strategic plan to address new opportunities or threats.
- I maintained strategic focus by regularly reviewing the strategic plan and taking corrective actions as needed to stay on track.
- I maintained a strategic focus to sustain competitiveness in changing business environments.
- I exploited resources and capabilities strategically to increase production and responsiveness.
- I aligned cross-functional teams to the strategic plan.
- I avoided complacency and strives to be ahead of changes in the business environment.
- I remained vigilant of changes to the business environment and recommended new strategies as needed.
LeadershipLeadership emphasizes crafting, shaping, and sustaining strategies that drive the organization forward, while influencing others to stay committed to long-term goals. This dimension centers on making strategic decisions, optimizing investments, maintaining focus on key priorities, mobilizing change, and ensuring adherence to performance targets. It prioritizes vision and influence, ensuring that leadership steers the organization in the right direction while making strategic choices that lead to competitive advantages.
- I ensured adherence to the strategy to sustain achievement of targeted levels of organizational performance.
- I was effective in strategy formulation and execution.
- I strategically focused efforts to improve operational efficiencies.
- I mobilized change through executive leadership to implement corporate strategies.
- I crafted and executed strategies to advance the company.
- I focused efforts on specific marketing strategies.
- I made decisions that yielded more competitive advantages.
- I exhibited a strategic orientation to identify and capitalize on opportunities to advance the organization.
- I mades strategic decisions to optimize the returns on capital investments.
- I say "no" to strategies that will detract from the organization's objectives.
- I kept the team focused on established goals and objectives.
- I showed leadership by saying "no" when necessary to effectively execute business strategy and meet long-term objectives.
- I maintained focus on doing the best quality work even if it requires saying "no" to unnecessary, or unrelated, projects.
SWOT AnalysisSWOT Analysis emphasizes evaluating an organization's internal and external environment to guide strategic decision-making. This dimension centers on identifying strengths and weaknesses within the company, assessing opportunities and threats in the marketplace, developing structured planning models, and using analytical frameworks to determine the best course of action. It prioritizes assessment and strategy formulation, ensuring that organizations base their strategic moves on data-driven insights.
- I undertook a SWOT analysis to determine the best strategy to move forward.
- I developed high-level strategic planning models to identify opportunities to improve the company.
- I was able to identify internal strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats that impact the company.
- I created a SWOT matrix to help analyze data.