Shifting to a more strategic mindset

“The Strategic Leadership Development Program was impactful in helping me to understand business strategy and implement it within my direct scope of influence. Enrolling in the program was one of the best decisions for my professional development. I would highly recommend this program to anyone striving to broaden their strategic mindset and have a lasting impact within their organization.”

―Christopher Kachuk
Director of Sales – Molson Coors Beverages

Christopher Kachuk joined the Strategic Leadership Development Program in order to learn from and network with other executives in different industries, to broaden his strategic thinking, and to understand how others implemented strategy within their organizations. Christopher says that he appreciated collaborating and working in parallel with other executives in the program because of the diverse and varied experiences and breadth of industries represented. “Working with others in different industries helped broaden my perspective on my day-to-day work. I now have a lot more confidence in working with the highest levels of my organization. I’ve learned how to speak the language of my executive leaders, and I am more confident helping them solve problems.”

The Strategic Leadership Development Program has been designed to enable participants to contribute to their organization’s future direction through enhanced strategic thinking. Christopher notes that the program has helped him to do just that. He says that his most significant takeaway from the program was an overarching understanding of macro-strategy and a deeper awareness of how to implement micro-strategy. “It helped me not just to use strategy as a buzzword, but I learned how to implement and actualize it.”

As part of the Strategic Leadership Development Program, participants complete an Action Learning Project, which provides an opportunity to practically apply program content, assess knowledge gained, and drive action through critical thinking and effective communication. Christopher’s project involved leveraging a streamlined internal communication process to breakdown departmental silos and provide clear, simple directives. As a result, each individual and department better understands their respective roles and there is less variability in the overarching strategy as it is implemented across the organization. “I approached my project with a more global, holistic mindset during the program. Since the program’s conclusion, I have implemented my project with more specific local requirements. It has been fantastic to see the results of my ALP rolled out in my business unit.”  He claims that, “this program set me up for success when working on major projects I was later assigned. When I was asked to build a strategy for my organization, I was able to flex and adapt strategic thinking by reflecting on learnings and deliverables from the program.”

One key characteristic of successful leaders is their ability to think critically and make strategic decisions based on an understanding of essential business and leadership practices. Christopher argues that, “The Strategic Leadership Development Program lets you step out of your role a bit. It helps you to take complexity and turn it into simplicity.” He notes that the benefits of the program have extended beyond his own professional development to impact his company as a whole. “This program helped me better understand what you can give back to your organization and what you can develop within yourself.”