Strategizing for Success: Thinking Long-Term as a Leader

By Monique Farmer, APR

Let me ask you a question: are you playing checkers or chess?

See, the difference isn’t just in the rules—it’s in the mindset. Checkers is about the next move. Chess? It’s about the next seven. And that’s what strategic leadership is all about. Not just managing the moment, but moving with purpose toward the future. It’s building a legacy, not just logging hours.

The most impactful leaders I’ve encountered—across schools, boardrooms, nonprofits and government—weren’t just visionaries. They were strategists. They knew where they were headed and they laid the groundwork to get there. Brick by brick. Piece by piece.

If you want to lead well and leave something that lasts, you need a long-term strategy. One rooted in clarity, guided by values and nimble enough to adapt. Here’s how to make that happen.

1. Define the North Star

Every strategy starts with a clear destination. Not a buzzword. Not a slogan. But a real, compelling vision of the future you want to create.

Ask yourself:

  • Where are we going?

  • What impact do we want to make five, ten, or even twenty years from now?

  • What does success feel like for our team, our clients, our community?

Your North Star should be big enough to inspire, but focused enough to guide decisions. Think transformation, not just transactions. Whether you’re leading a team of three or an organization of 3,000—clarity is your compass.

2. Set Strategic Pillars (Not Just Goals)

We all love a good goal, right? But long-term strategy needs more than milestones. It needs pillars—strong, supportive themes that keep your mission standing tall through change.

Strategic pillars are your non-negotiables. They might sound like:

  • Innovation through equity

  • Community engagement at every level

  • Sustainable growth with measurable impact

These aren’t to-do list items. They’re the DNA of your strategy—the through lines you’ll weave into everything you build.

3. Think in Horizons

You don’t have to do everything at once. (Whew, what a relief, right?)

Break your long-term vision into three horizons:

  • Horizon 1: What are we strengthening now?

  • Horizon 2: What are we building for the midterm?

  • Horizon 3: What are we preparing for the future?

This approach helps you stay grounded in reality while still making room for imagination. You’re solving today’s problems and planting seeds for what’s next.

4. Listen First, Plan Second

I always say—strategic plans should be informed by lived realities. Before you put anything on paper, you need to listen.

Ask your team:

  • What’s working well?

  • What barriers are in our way?

  • What dreams feel possible and which ones feel out of reach?

A long-term strategy that isn’t co-created isn’t going to stick. Bring people in early. Invite their voices. Bake in belonging from the jump.

5. Align Resources with Vision

This is where strategy becomes stewardship. You can’t just dream big—you’ve got to fund and staff the dream.

Look at your:

  • Budget

  • Talent

  • Technology

  • Partnerships

Are they aligned with where you say you’re headed? If not, it’s time for some realignment. Because a vision without support is just a wish.

6. Be Nimble, Not Naïve

Let’s be honest—stuff happens. Budgets shift. Staff turnover. External factors rock the boat. But a great strategy is adaptive, not rigid.

That’s why your plan should build in regular checkpoints. Review it quarterly. Reassess at the end of the year. Celebrate the wins. Learn from the pivots.

Long-term success doesn’t mean sticking to the script. It means knowing when to rewrite the next chapter.

7. Communicate Like a Leader

Once you’ve got a strategy, talk about it everywhere. Use it to set agendas, guide decisions and rally your people.

Make it part of your onboarding. Reference it in team meetings. Use it in your storytelling. Leaders who think long-term don’t just write strategy—they live it.

And don’t keep it locked in a dusty binder. Make it visual. Make it accessible. Make it inspiring.

8. Measure What Matters

Not everything that matters can be measured—but you still need a way to track progress.

Set meaningful metrics tied to your strategic pillars. Make sure those metrics are:

  • Simple

  • Visible

  • Actionable

Ask: Are we moving toward the future we’ve envisioned? Are we building trust and momentum? Are we staying focused on the why?

If not, course correct with courage.

Here’s what I know: great leaders don’t just manage tasks. They shape futures.

They build plans that outlast their tenure. They rally people around purpose. They look ahead—not just for themselves, but for everyone depending on them to lead with clarity and courage.

That’s your invitation today.

Take time to lift your head above the daily grind. Reconnect to your “why.” Recalibrate your course. And reimagine what’s possible—not just for now, but for the next generation of dreamers and doers you’re paving the way for.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be purposeful.

Now, go build something that lasts. 🧭✨

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Monique Farmer, APR, runs a PR/Communication Consultancy, Avant Solutions, and is the creator of Anvil Ready, an online communication strategy builder that aids the communication professional in creating communication plans. She teaches at the University of Texas at Austin. Farmer spent 12 years working in the federal government prior to working in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods (now ConAgra Brands), then leading communication strategy for Nebraska’s largest school district. In March 2024, she published her first book, Chart Your Path: A 9-step Method to Getting Unstuck.

 

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