**5. Strategic leadership defined**

Strategic leadership is the ability to anticipate, imagine, maintain flexibility, and empower others to accomplish strategic change as needed. Organizational development, or the process of delivering leadership and inspiration, is what it's all about. The multifunctional work requires managing via others, managing an entire organization rather than a functional subdivision, coping with change, attracting, and managing people (and intellectual) resources, and being able to actively influence others.

The art and science of strategic leadership go hand in hand. Having an open mind, looking at things from a different perspective and being willing to consider the 'what if possibilities,' as well as the bravery to analyze and weigh the various options, are all part of the art of problem-solving. To be a strategic leader, one must have the

confidence to make decisions, implement policies, and convince others to share your vision and work together to accomplish it. Thus, focus your thoughts and take action to bring your goal to fruition.

Strategic leadership, therefore, is the interaction of acting, thinking, and doing or influencing the capability of leaders. Strategic leaders are in all levels of the organization as individuals and teams. Nurse leaders are found in all levels of the health system playing formidable roles for the achievement of organizational objectives. Thus, it is essential to develop them to acquire this role orientation to become strategic leaders to achieve organizational prominence.
