logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
30m 23s

361: Transform Your Strategy at Every Le...

MAMIE KANFER STEWART
About this episode

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions at work, unsure about the exact strategy to guide your decisions? This episode will change that.


In the business world, the word “strategy” is quite the buzzword. But what does it really mean to think and lead strategically? And what can you do as a manager to get better at it?


If you want to stop wasting time and start making powerful strategic decisions no matter your position, today’s guest is here to unpack everything you need to know about being strategic.


Today’s guest is Rich Horwath, CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute. Over the past 20 years, Rich has helped more than one million managers around the world learn how to think, plan, and act strategically. He is a New York Times bestselling author of 8 books on strategy and his vision is to teach the world to be strategic.


In this episode, Rich shares his insights on how strategy is often misunderstood and why it’s crucial for everyone—from individual contributors to senior leaders—to think strategically.


He breaks down the difference between strategy and tactics, explaining how understanding the distinctions can lead to better decision-making. He also shares a practical framework for everyday strategic thinking and how to manage your time, allocate resources wisely, and pivot when necessary to stay on course


Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Rich delves into what isn’t strategic thinking and the tools that will help you act more strategically.


Join the conversation now!


Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (00:23) The difference between strategy and tactics explained
  • (04:10) Why strategy matters at every level of the organization
  • (06:08) The 3 As framework: Acumen, Allocation, and Action
  • (07:57) What it looks like to apply the 3 As framework in practice
  • (12:06) Making smart decisions through resource allocation
  • (18:34) How to stay strategic in a constantly changing environment
  • (22:39) A real-world example: Adjusting tactics to align with strategy
  • (25:30) A great manager Rich has worked for
  • (26:39) Keep up with Rich
  • (27:27) [Extended Episode Only] What it looks like when you’re not being strategic
  • (30:59) [Extended Episode Only] Tools to help you act more strategically


Additional Resources:


- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here


 Keep up with Rich Horwath


- Follow Rich on LinkedIn here

- Subscribe to his YouTube channel here

- Listen to the Strategic Minds Podcast here

- Check out StrategicThinking Institute here for more


Book Giveaway - 5 copies of Strategic AND Free White Paper on Delegation


Rich is giving away five copies of his book STRATEGIC: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence, which Inc. Magazine described as “A top 4 must read business book to kick off the year.” In the book, Rich shares practical tools, tips, and techniques he’s developed over two decades that can help you think, plan, and act strategically in every area of your business.

 

And, members of Podcast+ can download Rich’s White Paper: Lead at Your Level, which addresses the importance of delegation to a leader’s success. In the article, Rich shares the four factors that are crucial to effective delegation and the ability to unlock dozens of hours of extra time each year.


To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.


---------------------


The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.


Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss an episode!


Up next
Nov 18
384: What Managers Get Wrong About ADHD at Work (and How to Get It Right) with Rita Ramakrishnan
<p>Managers play a crucial role in shaping how employees experience work. But when ADHD enters the mix, good intentions can backfire if not handled thoughtfully. With the right mindset and tools, you can create a space where everyone performs at their best.</p><p><br></p><p>Fortu ... Show More
28m 54s
Nov 11
383: How to Get People to Listen to Your Ideas (Even When You’re Not in Charge) with Tami Reiss
Have you ever had a great idea but struggled to get others on board?You don’t need a title to have influence; you need a strategy.Fortunately, this week’s guest knows exactly how to build credibility and momentum without formal power.Tami Reiss is an expert on influence-driven le ... Show More
31m 27s
Nov 4
382: How to Bring Your Whole Self to Work (Without Oversharing) with Mike Robbins
Are you showing up as your full, authentic self or just the version you think others expect?Authenticity isn’t a matter of oversharing or saying whatever’s on your mind. It’s about honesty balanced with humility and vulnerability, the kind that builds genuine trust and stronger t ... Show More
40m 53s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 17
Organize Your Digital Clutter with Tracy Hoth
Send us a textYou know that sinking feeling when a client asks for "that document we worked on last month" and you have absolutely no idea where you saved it? Or when you're paying your team to sit idle while you frantically search through folders trying to find the resources the ... Show More
28m 38s
Jun 2024
5 Biggest Team Building Mistakes w/ Netflix Legend Patty McCord
<p>How do the best founders build exceptional teams? Learn how a practical approach to HR can transform the culture at your startup. </p> <p>In this episode, Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and author of &#39;Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Respon ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 2024
274: Navigating the PMO Journey: Insights from an Experienced CEO
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Hi, IMPACT Driver!   If you’ve ever wondered how executives really think about project management and strategy, you’re in for a treat.   🎙️In this special ... Show More
48m 16s
Mar 2025
I Run a 6-Figure Agency with ZERO Employees (AI Only) | Barbara Jovanovic
Ep. 307 Are we on the brink of a future where founders operate successful agencies with no human employees? Get Barbera's Prompts https://offers.hubspot.com/full-stack-ai-marketing Kipp and Kieran dive into the innovative world of Barbara Jovanovic (Startup Cookie) and her AI-pow ... Show More
39m 3s
May 2025
363. AMMA — How to Master Decision-Making Like a Pro
What separates elite leaders from those who never break through? It’s not motivation or even talent — it’s the discipline to stay focused, make decisions when it’s uncomfortable, and build habits that align with who you want to become. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorne ... Show More
27m 10s
Nov 2024
282: Leading from the Middle with Scott Mautz
Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers! PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills No one is more crucial to an organization’s success than middle managers. They hold the unique position of needing to lead up, down, and across their organizat ... Show More
33m 52s
Sep 17
Podcast Playbook (Part 11): Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive
In Episode 273, we bring the Podcast Playbook to a close with Part 11: Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive. This final chapter shifts the focus from tools and strategies to the mental game required to keep your podcast alive long term. We explore why ... Show More
35m 27s
Dec 2024
Documenting Failure
Do you document and analyse failure? In this episode, Squirrel and Jeffrey draw inspiration from Donald Knuth's detailed study of his own software mistakes to give you the lowdown on learning from past mistakes, including meaningful postmortems and retrospectives. LINKS: - Knuth' ... Show More
7m 33s
Feb 2019
Episode 132: Feature Audit with Brian Rhea
How do you know what features in your product bring the most value? How can you "make your strengths stronger" and gracefully remove unpopular features? Today our guest is Brian Rhea, product strategist and the founder of Feature Audit. You'll learn the story behind his analytics ... Show More
38m 22s
Feb 2025
Why That Worked #5: Stories—The Survival Tool Hardwired into Every Human
<p>Exciting news, Hero Makers! We're sharing a new episode of <em>Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI,</em> with Donald Miller back in the host seat. This new show uncovers why certain ideas, brands, and strategies succeed—so you can think differently and apply those ins ... Show More
40m 1s