Framework

Strategic leadership through four control mechanisms

The question it answers

When an approved strategy fails to move the organisation, which lever should the CEO tighten: resource allocation, decision rights, escalation or review?

Origin
Post et al., 2022; Frazier et al., 2017; Keiser & Arthur, 2021
Diagram type
Comparison table
Level of analysis
Firm
Topics
Strategy & leadershipEthics & corporate governance
Chess knight on a glass compass, icon for strategy and leadership

Diagram

Strategic leadership through four control mechanisms

CriterionAllocationDecision rightsEscalationReview
QuestionWhere do money, people and time go?Who may decide what?When does a problem go up the line?How does the organisation learn from outcomes?
Failure signPriorities announced but budgets point elsewhereUnclear rights; decisions pulled backBad news stays low in the hierarchyReviews only assign blame

Pitfalls

Pitfall

Using it as a tested finding. It is a synthesis illustrated with a few public cases, not a tested finding.

Sources

References

Listed A–Z by author surname, Harvard style. A source with a DOI links to https://doi.org/…; one without links to its page or says plainly that it has no DOI.

  1. Frazier, M.L. et al. (2017) ‘Psychological safety: a meta-analytic review and extension’, Personnel Psychology, 70(1), pp. 113–165.doi:10.1111/peps.12183Source page
  2. Keiser, N.L. and Arthur, W. (2021) ‘A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of the after-action review (or debrief) and factors that influence its effectiveness’, Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(7), pp. 1007–1032.doi:10.1037/apl0000821Source page
  3. Post, C. et al. (2022) ‘Participative or directive leadership behaviors for decision-making in crisis management teams?’, Small Group Research, 53(5), pp. 692–724.doi:10.1177/10464964221087952Source page