Intended and Emergent Strategies

Are you a planner or a go with the flow type?
Do you have a strategy for developing your team?

In the dynamic landscape of business, strategic planning is essential for navigating uncertainty and achieving goals. However, when it comes to developing people and their technical and human skills, understanding the nuances between intended and emergent strategies can make all the difference. Skill development isn't just about executing a predefined plan; it's about adaptability, embracing change, and leveraging unexpected opportunities.

Intended Strategy: The Blueprint

Intended strategy refers to the meticulously crafted plans, objectives, and initiatives that organisations set forth to achieve specific goals. It's the blueprint drawn up in meeting rooms, based on thorough analysis, market research, and forecasting. When it comes to skill development, the intended strategy might involve structured training programs, educational initiatives, and clear career paths designed to enhance technical proficiency and soft skills.

For example, in the healthcare sector, a hospital may intend to enhance the skills of its medical staff in the latest medical technologies or patient care methodologies through structured workshops or specialised training programs. These intentional initiatives are designed to align the individual competencies of healthcare professionals with the institution's objectives, fostering improved patient outcomes, driving innovation in healthcare delivery, and ensuring the hospital remains competitive in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Emergent Strategy: The Unforeseen Path

On the other hand, emergent strategy emerges organically from the day-to-day experiences, interactions, and learning processes within an organisation. It's the result of experimentation, adaptation, and the ability to seize unforeseen opportunities. In the context of skill development, emergent strategy may involve employees taking on new responsibilities, collaborating on cross-functional projects, or exploring innovative solutions to challenges they encounter.

In the manufacturing sector, emergent strategies might unfold when production line workers recognise inefficiencies or opportunities for improvement during a project and proactively collaborate to streamline processes, experiment with new machinery or techniques, or seek guidance from industry experts. This organic evolution of skill development can result in unforeseen efficiencies, heightened problem-solving capabilities, and a culture of perpetual improvement within the organisation.

Impact on Business

Understanding the interplay between intended and emergent strategies in skill development is crucial for businesses to stay agile and competitive in today's rapidly evolving environment. Here are some key impacts:

• Flexibility and Adaptability: By embracing emergent strategies alongside intended ones, businesses can cultivate a workforce that is adaptable to change and capable of navigating unforeseen challenges with resilience.
• Innovation and Creativity: Emergent strategies encourage employees to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and contribute to a culture of innovation, driving business growth and differentiation in the market.
• Employee Engagement and Retention: Providing opportunities for emergent skill development fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among employees, leading to higher levels of engagement, job satisfaction, and retention.
• Competitive Advantage: Businesses that effectively balance intended and emergent strategies in skill development are better positioned to respond to market shifts, capitalise on emerging trends, and maintain a competitive edge over their peers.

While intended strategies provide a structured framework for skill development, it's the integration of emergent strategies that enables businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing environment. By fostering a culture that embraces both planned initiatives and organic growth opportunities, organisations can unlock the full potential of their people and drive sustainable success in the long run. We can help you with defining and implementing your strategy to growing your people with SmartSkills.

To learn more about our SmartSkills service, and enquire about enrolling in a pilot program with us, please email us and we can get the ball rolling.