Strategic Leadership in Planning and Execution at HFSE

by Elaine Cercado

One of the main challenges in strategic leadership is keeping the long-term strategic focus while going through the daily “tornado” of activities and crises. People get overwhelmed and over-burdened with all the distractions so they give up planning & focused execution. They begin to respond to events and crises as they occur.

This was one of the challenges that HFSE International School needed to overcome to achieve their next phase towards their direction of greatness and growth.

Hence, last 27-28 May 2024, I facilitated a 2-day Team Navigation®️ workshop with the HFSE International School’s Core Leaders Group. Based on the award-winning N.E.W.S. Compass®️by N.E.W.S.® Navigation, the Team Navigation®️ ultimately led to the creation of “6 Strategic Drivers” projects.

The 6 projects were results of the navigation steps taken in each direction of the Compass®️- North, East, West and South – during the workshop. Each project was championed by a member of the core leader’s group, who then recruited relevant team members to help them plan and execute.

N.E.W.S®️ founder, Aviad Goz, in his book “Navigating in Times of Change” wrote: The ability to operate well in the West depends on a few capabilities:
📍The ability to see the bigger, fuller picture
📍The ability to break it down into its elements
📍The ability to see the sequence of how these elements and actions should be organized
📍The ability to perceive timeframes

He then said that “all these capabilities, with a good level of discipline and perseverance, constitute what it takes to be able to develop a strong, tactical, results-oriented West.” The 3 key elements to the West included critical goals, tactical plan and weekly focus.

Last 9th of September 2024, we had our first quarterly checkpoint, where each Team Champions shared & discussed their plans and progress for their respective projects. As a consultant and facilitator, I was delighted with their progress, focus, creativity and perseverance. They truly strongly demonstrated leadership in action. Congratulations and Job Well Done to the HFSE Champions & their respective SD Teams! I look forward to the next checkpoint and the journey to HFSE’s next phase!

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