THIS Leader Podcast
Episode 04: Adding Strategic Value in Uncertain Times
February 25, 2025
In this episode, I explore how to shift from being merely busy to truly adding strategic value in uncertain times. Discover practical tools to clarify your role's impact, align your time with high-value activities, and build professional resilience even when facing organizational uncertainty.
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Are you running on a professional treadmill—moving fast, using lots of energy, but unsure if you're actually getting anywhere?
This episode offers three practical strategies to help you transition from simply being busy to making a meaningful, strategic impact in your role.
You'll learn how to:
- Create your Strategic Value Proposition using the Job Pie exercise
- Develop clear Quarterly Action Plans that demonstrate your value
- Design a Development Pathway that connects your professional growth directly to organizational needs.
These frameworks will help you shift from just being busy to adding undeniable strategic value, building your professional resilience, and finding greater fulfillment in your work. Because in uncertain times, clarity about how you contribute isn't just nice to have—it's essential.
"We're all so busy doing our work - and doing good work - that we rarely stop to ask if we're doing the right work. Getting clear on how you can add more value is a powerful exercise that can help you build resilience, especially if you are worried about the future of your role."
Highlights from this episode:
In this episode, we explore:
The Strategic Value Gap: Understanding why even accomplished professionals struggle to articulate how they're measured at work
The Job Pie Exercise: A visual tool to determine where your time and energy should be allocated for maximum impact
Practical Value-Adding Strategies:
- Creating your Strategic Value Proposition using ideal vs. real job allocation
- Implementing the TIE (Time, Impact, Energy) tracker to identify time drains
- Developing Quarterly Action Plans that demonstrate measurable outcomes
Building Professional Resilience:
- Designing a Strategic Development Blueprint
- Aligning your growth with organizational needs
- Having valuable conversations with managers about priorities
Action Steps for Immediate Implementation:
- Conducting your own Job Pie assessment
- Scheduling strategic alignment conversations
- Identifying your highest-impact development opportunities
- Shifting from "busy" to strategically valuable this week
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Links mentioned in this episode:
TIE (Time Impact Energy) Tracker: Available on the Resource Page
Find out more about my upcoming free webinar:Â Beat the Burnout FREE Webinar
Send me your leadership questions: Contact Me
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About your Host
Claire Laughlin, MA, Organizational Development Consultant
Hi! I'm Claire Laughlin, and I love helping leaders like you create workplaces where people truly thrive.
For over two decades, I've been rolling up my sleeves alongside teams and organizations, using hands-on methods that actually work (because let's face it - theory only gets you so far!).Â
I specialize in teaching leaders how to engage their teams, helping managers become more effective facilitators, and showing people how to work better together.
I'm also a master facilitator for the Six Types of Working Genius® - a fantastic tool that helps you understand and leverage your natural talents.
When I'm not helping leaders like you build happy, high-energy workplaces, I'm enjoying a hike in the forest with my dog Fiona, spending time with my family or curled up with a great book.
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