Are you a strategist or just a manager?

Area of Science:

• Business Strategy
• Management Science

Background:

• Helmuth von Moltke, a renowned general, utilized directives for autonomous decision-making.
• This approach fostered initiative among subordinates, a model transferable to business.

Purpose of the Study:

• To translate Helmuth von Moltke's strategic directives into business management principles.
• To propose methods for identifying and developing strategic management competence in entrepreneurs and managers.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Helmuth von Moltke's strategic leadership style.
• Development of a questionnaire to measure strategic management competence.
• Application of the questionnaire for self-assessment and managerial evaluation.

Main Results:

• Strategy is viewed as applied common sense, with innate qualities contributing to success.
• Managers and entrepreneurs can assess their strategic capabilities through a self-administered questionnaire.
• The questionnaire aids in evaluating managers for promotion and personal development.

Conclusions:

• Strategic management involves providing general guidelines rather than specific commands.
• Cultivating a corporate culture that encourages independent thinking is crucial for implementing business strategies.
• Natural talent for strategy requires development and honing to achieve success.