Twenty-second International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

We know strategic planning requires teamwork. As strategy professionals, we are frequently called upon to bring together a group of peers to engage in problem-solving, address an issue, or lend expertise to a project or program. However, how does the convening leader create an environment in the strategic process that leads the team to successful outcomes? This can be a challenge when it’s “business as usual” – but recently, nothing has been normal. Despite some of the positive shifts we have seen, further leadership is needed to facilitate successful teams and outcomes. During these evolving times, many of the local problems we face are complex and go beyond a single program or organization. In the last ten years, strategic management has grown beyond business planning to also focus on collective systems and issues, as organizations attempt to collaborate across sector boundaries to address ambiguous and consequential societal problems. As the field of strategy has developed, strategic leaders must also grow in the skills needed to convene diverse groups of stakeholders capable of solving complex problems. This workshop highlights the importance of convening diverse stakeholder groups. It also provides practical insights for identifying complementary collaborators across a spectrum of actors. Finally, this workshop introduces five principles in convening stakeholders to engage leaders in guiding diverse teams through challenges and uncertainty. Based on research and practical experience, plan for ah-ha moments as the presenters share convening leadership principles and best practices in leading strategic initiatives.

Presenters

Jennifer Elmore
Student, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Southeastern University, Florida, United States

Patricia A. Clary
PhD Organizational Leadership, Jannetides College of Business & Entrepreneurial Leadership, Southeastern University, Arkansas, United States