Time for Strategic Work Is Not Optional and Does Not Need To Be Earned

If you want to up level your work and be more strategic, don't wait for an opportunity or "get other work done first." Prioritize strategy conversation first, and the rest will follow.

When I was a PM lead at Thumbtack, I would often try to get my execution-level work done first, so that I could “get to” strategic thinking and relationship building. I made sure my emails were answered, the team and leadership had what they needed from me, and the backlog was in great shape. By the time I opened a strategy document, it was Friday at 4 …