Strategic Leadership versus Strategic Management: The Difference is Strategic Thinking

This program is pre-approved for 1 SHRM PDC & HRCI Strategic Credit

Presented by the students at Wayland Baptist University under the leadership of Mary Rydesky, MLS, MBA, DBA(c)

This program will establish that Leadership represents a relationship process that seeks to influence people. The case will be made that the skill of strategic thinking separates strategic leaders from strategic managers.  This program will further argue that to advance HRM as a strategic player, HR leaders must develop their own key members in the distinctive qualities of strategic leader.

This program will also present the argument that the skill of strategic thinking creates a strategic learning process when HRM leaders engage in 1) shaping and communicating a HR strategic vision and core-values; 2) coaching the development and sustainment of value-creation, ethical behavior; and 3) modeling strategic core-values and ethical behavior.  

Mary Rydesky, MLS, MBA, DBA(c)

As a professional manager of training and as an educator, Mary M. Rydesky combines practical experience with MBA theory. She has extensive experience in human resource and general management within corporate, nonprofit, and small business organizations, moving from entry level to CEO in her career.

Mary is a life-long learner. She holds a BA in Communication Arts, Psychology, and Education, a Master’s in Library and Information Science, and a Master’s in Business Administration with concentrations in Organizational Behavior and Marketing. After completing all but dissertation towards a Ph.D. in Management of Engineering & Technology, she has resumed doctoral studies in Human Resource Management. As an instructor in business management, she has served Wayland Baptist University, APU, UAA, and several universities in Texas.

She serves on the board of the Alaska Statewide Trainers & Developers and is a member of ATD (the Association for Training & Development, NCDA (National Career Development Association), and Infragard. She heads Transition Management, specializing in improving the workplace through training, technology, and communications. She trains and facilitates learning for a broad variety of industries and occupations. Her work in the military community on career management skills has gained national recognition.

The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®)  criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.