Working Strategically

Definition
This concerns a willingness to align priorities, planning and action to the individual's/organisation's Objectives. It is also about identifying patterns or connections between complex and ambiguous situations that are not obviously related and using these to come to conclusions about key issues that affect predetermined priorities.

This behaviour shows the necessary determination and tenacity to complete high quality work as well as raising performance levels over the short, medium and long term. It involves overcoming obstacles caused by conflicting priorities, lack of resources or difficult or demanding situations in the internal or external environment.

Sub skills
Level 1 - " Understands current situation & fits in" 

Understands the way things are done within the organisation and works to agreed standards. Can identify similarities between a current and a past situation.

Level 2 - " Links current action to strategy" 

Understands link between own work and the organisation's Strategic Objectives. Balances local needs with the longer-term and wider needs. Uses own knowledge or experience of past situations, and adapts and applies this to current issues.

Level 3 - " Focuses on the longer term" 

Constantly reviews own and departmental objectives to ensure they support the organisation's long-term Strategic Objectives, and makes changes or challenges if they do not. Makes complex ideas, issues and situations clear and understandable, and can relate these to the wider context of the organisation. Builds diversity issues into strategic planning.

Level 4 - " Promotes a longer term strategy" 

Realigns the department or operation to meet long-term objectives better, even if this means taking unpopular or difficult decisions in the short-term. Experiments and reinvents thinking using intuition as well as complex analysis to create a new concept or approach not obvious to others.

Assessment
Current methods used to assess ability in the skill.

Benchmarks
Statements that could serve as comparators for ability.

Relevant Higher Order Skills
Behavioural skills