What is Strategist

This paper is an empirical study of the role and characteristics of strategists in dynamic, uncertain and complex environments. Strategic management research appears to neglect the importance of strategists, and early research considers them to be analysts and thus number crunchers of data. This is not a view that holds true in the 21st Century. Based on a sample of 9 strategists and using semi-structured interviews, the results show that strategists need to focus on interaction across the organisation and develop organisational opportunity routines. Strategists are idea-driven and thus catalysts for change and opportunities. To achieve this “proactiveness” is important and they should be experienced, which implies they are senior individuals in the organisation and thus exhibit leadership qualities.