Strategic Leadership in the 20 th Century

Main Themes of the Article 

The article “Strategic Leadership in the 20 th Century” has its major theme as leadership. This theme is based on the overview of organizations and some of these topics are; the competitive landscape anticipated for the 21 st century, assessing the rock ball, characteristics of the new modest landscape, capabilities for strategic leadership, the first ten years of the 21 st century, the way forward, and the future of leadership ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . These organizations were anticipated to lead to a very challenging competitive environment and it emerged in the initial decade of the fresh century. There were arguments on how the managers have to improve their capabilities to be successful leaders who are strategic, which can be achieved by dropping their greed and ego ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . For instance, there was a prediction that there would be a need to come up with, and communicate an appropriate vision at every work place. Due to the rise in globalization and improved technology, there were several things that were overseen, such as economic transition ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . Notably, it is the role of leaders to use their leadership skills to develop strategies to overcome challenges. 

Challenges and Opportunities the Article is responding to 

This article is responding to various problems or rather challenges, and even opportunities, all related to developing strategic leadership. Lack of vision is a great challenge that affects most organizations and even to an individual level ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . This article highlights how poor communication of vision is a great barrier to development. There is also lack of awareness of the capabilities that lies in the leadership of organizations. According to Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, (2010) , such capabilities can be even human skills. The article also outlines lack of creativity as a challenge as it hinders innovation. Agreeably, vision is a great opportunity that offers room for development, and lack of innovation and awareness of capabilities are some of the challenges this article is addressing. 

Solutions, Resources, or Answers in the Article 

From the challenges highlighted in the article, there are also various solutions stated and also resources that can be used to aid is solving the problems discussed. Vision is of great essence and it is one of the opportunities the leaders should explore first in order to give organizations a clear direction ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . Therefore, communicating about an effective vision for a firm is the best way to set objectives and evaluating progress. Creating more diverse core capabilities and human capital is also another way of setting objectives and evaluating progress because these are some of the things that hinder leadership grown in most of the cases ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . Emphasizing on innovation helps in promoting creativity and bringing new ideas in the market and also building effective cultures in the organization ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010) . Clearly, the article addresses solutions to every challenge that organizations face. 

Address Strategic Leadership Explored 

The aforementioned solutions and resources in the article address strategic leadership in various ways. According to Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, (2010), strategic leadership has failed as there was transition during that decade. For instance, the economic downturns and the terrorist attack. Claims are that the two economic downturns are due to ineffective strategic leadership in the economic sector, and more so in the department of finance ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010). The world’s economy has changed due to poor strategic leadership as innovation lacks, as well as, the entrepreneurial passion to start new businesses ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010). Leaders should be in a position to manage the resources of the organization well, and accountability should be key in every firm. Having ethical ways of operating will develop strategic leaders and also conditions that govern them ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010). Management of resource should be done wisely, and creation of social and human capital also, in order to make an increase in the productivity of the organization ( Hitt, Haynes & Serpa, 2010). According to the article, strategic leaders are smart people who identify opportunities, even business-wise and exploit them. Undoubtedly, organizations are likely to fail when they lack effective strategic leaders. 

Integration as a leader and Manager 

As a professional, integrating the learnings from this article can be done through various ways, as a manager and a leader. Through promoting creativity, to increase innovation in organization, making it unique and outstanding. By setting a vision before even establishing anything, in order to learn what the way forward is. That can be achieved by effectively communicating with workmates and working together in cooperation to promote productivity. From this article, one can learn a lot about how to empower other people to being strategic leaders who are highly effective in what they do. Promoting self-awareness, where individuals can understand the capabilities they have and how they can use them as human capital in organizations. Doing the aforementioned things, develops oneself and the organization as a whole, increasing the efficiency of the firm and its productivity. 

Reference 

Hitt, M., Haynes, K., & Serpa, R. (2010). Strategic leadership for the 21st century.