5.04 - Moving Between Detail and Big Picture as a Strategic Leader

What does strategy actually look like when you’re juggling running projects, leading teams and sitting at the executive table?In this episode we explore that question with Nicola Tilbury, Director at construction consultancy Potter Raper. Drawing on more than 30 years in the industry, Nicola shares how her own strategic capability evolved, often before she realised that was what she was doing.We explore how strategic thinking often begins with noticing how things could be improved. Early in her career Nicola found herself stepping back from the day-to-day work, questioning processes, and creating new ways of assessing performance and capability. Those instincts eventually led her to take an even bigger strategic view, including developing a business case to open a new regional office.From her perspective on the executive board, Nicola also shares the reality of balancing operational leadership with strategic leadership in a medium-sized organisation. With directors still closely involved in projects, it can be easy for conversations to drift into operational detail unless time and structure are intentionally created for strategic thinking.A key insight from the conversation is the constant movement leaders need to make between different levels of thinking, zooming into operational detail, stepping back to the strategic picture, and connecting decisions across the wider organisation.Key Points DiscussedHow Nicola first recognised she was thinking strategically by improving processes and team capabilityWhy strategic thinking often starts with noticing how work could be done betterThe importance of stepping back from operational work to consider longer-term directionWhy leadership teams in operational businesses must intentionally create space for strategyThe role of facilitated strategy sessions in aligning leadership teams around purpose and valuesHow strategy provides focus when industries face uncertainty or disruptionThe leadership skill of zooming between operational detail and the wider strategic pictureWhy communication becomes more important as leaders move into senior rolesKey TakeawayStrategic leadership is not about staying permanently at the “big picture” level. It is the ability to move constantly between detail and perspective, while keeping the organisation aligned to its longer-term direction.About our guest:Nicola Tilbury is a Director at Potter Raper with more than 30 years’ experience in construction and project management. She has worked on a range of strategic initiatives over that time, including setting up a new office, and evolving the organisation's internal business approach, and she plays an active role in industry mentoring, networking initiatives for women in construction, and leading the firm’s ESG strategy.https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-tilbury-3a5b0915/Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast.If you enjoyed the show, please give is 5 stars! It will help others find the show.Check out our previous episodes and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss our future shows.If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you:www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma)www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)