Christian Underwood and Prof. Jürgen Weigand in conversation with Willie Pietersen

In this episode of Hope is Not a Strategy, Christian Underwood and Jürgen Weigand welcome strategy consultant Prof. Willie Pietersen, whose “Strategy Frame” model has strongly influenced their work. Pietersen, a renowned expert in strategic learning and business management and a long-time lecturer at Columbia Business School, has used his philosophy to inspire leaders around the world to put their values at the center of their work.

A central aspect of the “Strategy Frame” model is strategic flexibility. Pietersen explains how important it is for companies to remain adaptable in a fast-moving world and to develop their strategies on a regular basis. His model emphasizes a culture of learning and openness to new ideas. He sees strategic alignment as a dynamic process that is based on continuous learning and must constantly evolve in order to remain relevant in the long term.
Another key topic is the culture of error. Pietersen emphasizes that mistakes should not be seen as failures, but as opportunities. An open error culture not only strengthens trust within the team, but also promotes creativity and innovation, as employees can act without fear of sanctions. For Pietersen, it is crucial that managers exemplify this culture by being transparent about their own mistakes. This is the only way to create a climate in which the team can safely experiment and learn.

Pietersen also talks about the importance of authenticity and ethical behavior in leadership. For him, authenticity means that managers know their own values and consistently act in accordance with them. Companies that integrate ethics as an integral part of their strategy create trust and credibility - not only internally, but also with customers and partners. Pietersen does not see ethics as an add-on to strategy, but as the basis for long-term and stable business relationships.

Finally, Pietersen emphasizes the importance of continuous learning as a strategic success factor. In a globalized and constantly changing world, it is not enough to define a strategy once. He recommends regular strategy retrospectives to reflect on past successes and challenges and adapt the strategy if necessary. This strengthens the commitment of employees and actively involves them in the future of the company.

This episode offers valuable insights into future-oriented and human leadership. Pietersen's “Strategy Frame” model and philosophy emphasize the connection of strategy with values, ethics and learning. In doing so, he encourages leaders to develop a dynamic and flexible leadership style that will endure in the long term. For anyone looking for a sustainable, value-based leadership strategy, this episode is an inspiring source of practical ideas and inspiration.

SHOWNOTES

Willie Pietersen

Book Leadership — The Inside Story: Time-Tested Prescriptions for Those Who Seek to Lead

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand

Christian Underwood

StrategyFrame

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