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Advancing from an Operational Manager to a Strategic Leader

Learn to become an innovator, a persuasive player and a champion of strategic change. This seminar gives you the right practice to close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. You'll conduct SWOT analysis, leverage key prospects for strategic opportunities and inspire risk taking and innovation. Make your mark. This training course gives you the skills to add value to your organization and move your team forward decisively.

Seminar Number: 02242

4.8
(329 reviews)
  • In-Person
  • Live Online
  • At Your Company Location

Course Scheduling & Pricing

Home>Course Topic>Management and Supervisory Skills>Advancing from an Operational Manager to a Strategic Leader

About This Course

Moving from operational manager to strategic leader requires a broader perspective and a different approach to decision making. This strategic leadership workshop helps managers move beyond tactical execution to focus on long-term direction and impact. You'll learn to step back from daily operations, so you can develop a strategic mindset and align your team's work with broader goals. The program is designed for managers ready to drive sustainable growth and lead with strong motivation across the organization.

Read the FAQs

Who Should Attend

Managers with fewer than five years of management experience who want to move into a more strategic role

  •   In-Person2 Day(s)
    1.2 CEU, 12 CLP, 12 PDCs, 12 PHR, 12 SPHR
  •   Live Online2 Day(s)
    1.2 CEU, 12 CLP, 12 PDCs, 12 PHR, 12 SPHR
 
 

Learn to become an innovator, a persuasive player and a champion of strategic change. This seminar gives you the right practice to close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. You'll conduct SWOT analysis, leverage key prospects for strategic opportunities and inspire risk taking and innovation.

Make your mark. This training course gives you the skills to add value to your organization and move your team forward decisively.

  • Inspire and direct your team to greater readiness and competitiveness
  • Use strategic thinking to add value to your organization by understanding the needs and expectations of your customers
  • Anticipate and innovate strategies to link strategic vision to core capabilities
  • Recognize opportunities to influence and create strategic alliances
  • Use strategic thinking to identify key strengths and weaknesses in your work group
  • Encourage and support risk taking and innovation at all levels
  • Develop persuasive skills to sell your strategic ideas

Developing and Balancing Operational and Strategic Management Skills

  • Establish a working definition of operational management
  • Explore the key attributes of today’s strategic leaders

Creating a Strategic Frame of Reference

  • Understand the key components of the strategic leadership model
  • Develop a strategic leader’s approach for your own work environment

Understanding Your Current Operational Mission: Your Team, Your Customers and Your Competitors

  • Strategic thinking: moving from a limited context to a broader view
  • Understand how to apply a SWOT analysis to your team
  • Create a mission statement defining the operational reality of your work group

Developing a Strategic Vision: Moving from What Is to What If

  • How to identify priority issues to create your strategic advantage
  • Encourage innovative solutions
  • Prepare a draft of a vision statement

Making Your Vision a Reality: Influencing Key Stakeholders

  • Develop their persuasive skills
  • Explore a range of options for influencing others

Your Personal Plan: Developing and Selling Your Vision of the Future

  • Communication strategies to sell your strategic plan
  • Conduct key conversations to encourage innovation and risk taking

Special Feature

This Seminar Features Blended Learning.

AMA Blended Learning combines instructor-led training with online pre- and post-seminar assessments, tune-up courses and other resources to maximize your training goals. Through a blend of proven instructor-led seminars and powerful online technology, AMA Blended Learning provides a compelling and more comprehensive experience for the learner—producing a greater return-on-investment for the employer and the seminar participant.

Learning Objectives

  • Define Operational Management and Strategic Leadership
  • Understand the Classic Strategic Model
  • Develop a SWOT Analysis for Your Work Group
  • Create a Target for Future Success
  • Develop a Mission Statement for Your Work Group
  • Establish Linkage Between the Mission and Vision
  • Encourage Innovation in Your Team
  • Create a Strategic Approach to Your Particular Work Situation

Developing and Balancing Your Operational and Strategic
Management Skills

  • Define Operational Management
  • Explore Attributes of Strategic Leaders
  • Recognize the Need for Balance Between These Two Roles
  • Reflect on Your Use of These Skills

Creating a Strategic Frame of Reference

  • Understand the Strategic Frame of Reference
  • Define Key Outputs at Each Level
  • Develop a Strategic Leader’s Approach

Understanding Your Current Operational Mission: Your Team, Your Customers, and Your Competitors

  • Clarify the Purpose of Your Work Group
  • Draft a Mission Statement for Your Work Group
  • Create a SWOT Analysis to More Fully Understand the Competitive Landscape

Developing a Strategic Vision: Moving from “What Is” to “What If”

  • Assess Customers’ Needs, Wants, and Expectations
  • Determine Approaches for Developing Customer Data
  • Use an Importance/Performance Matrix to Set Priorities
  • Understand the Power of Vision
  • Create a Linkage Between the Organizational Vision and Mission

Making Your Vision a Reality: Influencing Key Stakeholders

  • Develop Persuasive Skills to Sell Your Strategic Ideas
  • Explore Ways to Influence Others
  • Assess Your Ability to Encourage New Ways of Thinking
  • Learn How to Conduct 5 Key Conversations to Encourage Innovation

Your Personal Plan: Developing and Selling Your Vision of the Future

  • See the Merit of the Strategic Frame of Reference You Created for Your Department
  • Share Your Vision and Mission Statements with Others as You Would to Senior Executives in Your Company
  • Identify and Practice the Key Conversations You Intend to Have upon Your Return to Work
  • Develop a Personal Action Plan for Going Forward

Download Extended Seminar Outline PDF

View a Sample of Our Reviews

4.8

329 reviews

 
Instructor is very knowledgeable, easy to understand and course flow well structured
5
Victor R.
 
DIRECTOR
 
Industry: Finance, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
The instructor really worked to accommodate our needs by referring back to our initial ideas about what we wanted out of the session.
5
Marceline M.
 
DIRECTOR PUBLISHING SERVICES
 
Industry: Business Services, Research & Development
i would recommend this training for any middle or senior managers who are looking at expanding their thinking horizon and delivering more value to their organization and even personal life by adopting strategic mindset
4
Ratna A.
 
Logistics Manager
 
Industry: Minerals & Mining
I very much enjoyed this seminar. I feel excited to get back into the office to start applying what I learned after these two days of learning and listening.
5
Jason B.
 
Supply Chain Manager
 
Industry: Retail
This training helped me identify a number of actions I can take to help empower my employees to grow our company through innovation.
5
Brian K.
 
Manager of Process Engineering and Quality
 
Industry: Manufacturing

 

American Management Association is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is accredited to issue the IACET CEU.

HRCI. The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

AMA is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (12 PDCs) for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM.

In-Person Schedule

6 Sessions Available

Live Online Schedule

7 Sessions Available

  • $2,995.00 Non Members
  • $2,695.00 AMA Members
  • $2,656.00 GSA
Date Duration State City Zip
  2026-04-30 2026-05-01 Apr 30, 2026 - May 1, 2026 2 Days NY New York 10019 New York Register Now

  2026-06-22 2026-06-23 Jun 22, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026 2 Days TX Dallas 75001 Dallas Register Now

  2026-07-30 2026-07-31 Jul 30, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026 2 Days IL Chicago 60601-5927 Chicago Register Now

  2026-09-21 2026-09-22 Sep 21, 2026 - Sep 22, 2026 2 Days TX Houston 77001 Houston Register Now

  2026-10-29 2026-10-30 Oct 29, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026 2 Days DC Arlington/Washington 22202-4807 Arlington/Washington Register Now

  2026-12-10 2026-12-11 Dec 10, 2026 - Dec 11, 2026 2 Days NY New York 10019 New York Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m strong operationally but not seen as strategic. How do I change that?

Many managers excel at execution but struggle to influence direction. This program helps you shift from managing processes to shaping strategy by building the perspective, business acumen and leadership behaviors required at a higher level.

What does moving from an operational manager to a strategic leader actually require?

Moving from an operational manager to a strategic leader requires more than experience. It demands long-term thinking, cross-functional awareness, stronger decision making and the ability to align daily work with broader organizational goals. This course focuses on making that shift intentionally and confidently.

Who is this strategic leadership workshop best for?

This strategic leadership workshop is designed for experienced managers, department heads and operational leaders who are ready to expand their influence and prepare for senior-level roles. It’s ideal for professionals who want to move beyond tactical management and contribute to business strategy.

What skills will I learn in this program?

You’ll develop strategic leadership skills, including big-picture thinking, prioritization at the enterprise level, influencing senior stakeholders, aligning teams to strategy, and leading change with clarity and confidence.

How is this different from strategic thinking training?

Strategic thinking focuses primarily on analysis and planning tools. This program goes further by addressing how to operate as a strategic leader — influencing decisions, communicating direction and demonstrating the behaviors that position you for advancement.

Will this help me prepare for director-level or senior leadership roles?

Yes. Advancing requires more than tenure — it requires visible strategic capability. This course helps you demonstrate readiness by strengthening the mindset and leadership presence expected at higher levels.

Can this leadership course be delivered in-house to help managers transition from operational to strategic roles?

Yes. This course can be delivered at your company, in person or live online, for experienced managers. Delivery can be tailored to your organization’s leadership goals and business strategy, helping participants shift from day-to-day operations to a more strategic, forward-thinking leadership approach. To explore options, please contact us for more information.
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