How to spend more time on strategy?

Transitioning from an operational focus to a strategic leadership role can profoundly impact a businesses' future growth. A great example is Satya Nadella's tenure as CEO of Microsoft. Nadella shifted Microsoft's emphasis from traditional software to cloud computing and artificial intelligence. This strategic redirection involved significant investments in cloud infrastructure and the acquisition of companies like LinkedIn and GitHub. As a result, Microsoft experienced substantial growth, reinforcing its position as a leader in the technology sector.

Let's turn to Europe. Another example is Maarten Wetselaar, CEO of the Spanish energy company Cepsa. Appointed in January 2022, Wetselaar initiated a strategic transformation to shift Cepsa's focus from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This included launching the "Positive Motion" strategy and facilitating the sale of 70% of the company’s oil assets. Under his leadership, Cepsa rebranded as Moeve to reflect its new direction, aiming to generate most of its profits from renewable sources by the end of the decade. The company has invested €3 billion in green hydrogen facilities in southern Spain and is focusing on sustainable chemical production. This strategic shift positions Moeve to adapt to the evolving energy landscape and meet sustainability goals.

Research underscores the importance of strategic focus for organizational success. A study highlighted by the Financial Times discusses how companies that maintain a clear corporate purpose and prioritize research and development (R&D) tend to outperform those fixated on short-term profits. For instance, firms like Novo Nordisk and Bühler have sustained competitiveness by investing in innovation and adhering to their core missions. This approach contrasts with companies that have faced challenges due to an overemphasis on immediate financial returns at the expense of long-term strategic planning. 

These insights reinforce the critical role of strategic leadership in driving sustainable growth and maintaining a competitive edge in today's dynamic business environment. 

Here is the leadership trap I see often: Are you spending too much time on operations?

Many leaders fall into this trap of focusing too much on operational work: firefighting, approvals, and day-to-day tasks. It feels productive, even necessary. But there’s a cost. Every hour spent on operations is an hour not spent on strategy.

The best leaders know that long-term success requires a different equation: 70–80% of their time should be dedicated to strategic topics, with the remaining 20–30% on operations. Yet, shifting to this balance is easier said than done. How can leaders make this shift without letting execution suffer? Here are five actionable strategies:

1. Set up regular strategy days

Strategy doesn’t happen in the gaps between meetings. Block dedicated days in your calendar (quarterly, monthly, or even weekly) where you and your team step back from the daily grind and focus on long-term priorities.

2. Block thinking time in your schedule

If you don’t protect your time, someone else will fill it. Block regular, uninterrupted slots for deep thinking and strategic planning. Use this time to reflect, explore trends, and consider big-picture decisions. Does it sound unrealistic to you? I know senior leaders who do this and it really pays off!

3. Delegate relentlessly

Many leaders stay in the weeds, because they don’t fully trust their teams. Identify the tasks only you can do and delegate the rest. Empower your team to handle operations so you can focus on where you add the most value.

4. Make strategy part of every leadership meeting

Operational reviews often dominate leadership meetings. Flip the script: allocate the first half of key meetings to strategic discussions. This ensures that strategy remains top-of-mind rather than an afterthought. It also allows for continuous reflection on what to focus on and what to stop. I see too many leadership teams with way too much on their plate. Less is more!

5. Track your time like a CFO

Audit how you actually spend your time. Compare it to your ideal 70/30 split. If operations are eating up most of your week, make adjustments. Leaders who are serious about strategy measure and manage their own time as carefully as they do company finances.

Shifting from operational to strategic leadership isn’t about ignoring execution. It’s about ensuring that today’s actions lead to long-term success. The best leaders don’t just react to what’s urgent; they create what’s important.