Executive leaders came together on Jan. 15 to attend an exclusive book launch for “The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management.”
The book, authored by Dr. John Hillen, discusses what it means to think strategically, how to set the right direction for an organization, and how to turn strategic aspirations into reality.
Hillen ⏤ a board chairman, director, author, college professor and speaker ⏤ teaches strategy and leadership at Duke University, Hampden-Sydney College, and in the MBA program at George Mason University. He is a former public company CEO, former senior U.S. government official, decorated combat veteran and business leader in the national security community.
The event was organized by WashingtonExec and hosted over 60 attendees at the International Country Club in Fairfax, Virginia. Many esteemed GovCon leaders joined, including ASRC Federal President and CEO Jennifer Felix; Parsons Corp.’s Chair, President and CEO Carey Smith; Chairman of the NewSpring Holdings Federal Advisory Board Andy Maner; Unissant President and CEO Sumeet Shrivastava; DMI CEO Rocky Thurston; industry advisor, chair and former CEO Tiffanny Gates; Chairman of the Board at Cubic Corp. Mac Curtis, and more.
“It was great to see so many leaders come out to hear about the book and support its launch,” said Hillen. “There was a fun irony at play: on the one hand, we were all there to hear about making strategy and strategic thinking simple and practical ⏤ so that every executive can more easily access this competency. And yet, the room was full of some of the best strategic thinkers in the D.C. area! I think it shows that even seasoned leaders are lifetime students of self-discovery and are always seeking to learn.”
According to its description, “The Strategy Dialogues” allows readers to “eavesdrop” on strategy workshops and conversations on the basic tools for applying strategic thinking to real-life organizational challenges. It covers the art of strategic thinking, the foundational frameworks used to apply them and strategic leadership essentials.
“John Hillen delivers another best-seller, with this outing intended to enlighten the executive ranks on how to develop a focused and executable strategy,” said industry board director and former CEO Sid Fuchs, longtime friend and supporter of Hillen. Fuchs also contributed the books and signs for the event, for which WashingtonExec is very grateful.
“Leveraging his decades of experience and expertise across multiple industries, his use of the ‘dialogue’ method makes for enjoyable reading with content-rich chapters that easily connect the dots from start to finish. A must-read for every strategist and future strategist!” Fuchs added.
Shrivastava and Hillen were early drivers of the George Mason University’s GovCon initiative when Hillen was the executive in residence and professor of practice in the School of Business at GMU.
“John’s last book, ‘What Happens Now?’ gave me invaluable insights into adapting and growing as a leader during my time at ARRAY ⏤ lessons I’ve carried forward ever since,” said Shrivastava.
“With ‘The Strategy Dialogues,’ I’m excited to dive deeper into practical approaches for aligning strategy with action. It comes at the perfect time as we guide Unissant into its next growth phase, and I know this book will be a valuable resource for leading our team and mission forward.”
Smith kicked off the event with introductions of Hillen and the book. She is quoted on the book’s sleeve, noting in her endorsement that “Creative approach in this book helps readers virtually engage to learn the difficult tenets of strategic thinking.”
This is the second book event of Hillen’s hosted by WashingtonExec, following the 2018 launch of “What Happens Now?: Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You,” which Hillen co-authored with Mark Nevins.
“John’s new book sets the stage for 2025. Strategic thinking is top of mind as we go into a new year, and ‘The Strategy Dialogues’ is the perfect primer to improve company strategy,” said WashingtonExec CEO and Founder JD Kathuria. “It was a pleasure to host the launch of what I’m sure to be yet another helpful resource for executives industrywide.”
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