Thinking Strategically
Strategic planning cannot occur without strategic thinking. Thinking strategically is a critical skill for CEO’s and Executives in the complex, fast-moving world we operate in. We can all do it. We all must do it.
What is Strategic Thinking?
Strategic thinking is about connecting the dots between information from a wide range of sources.
The broader organisational, competitive, industry, economic, political and societal context can all provide lenses to the right path to the future for a strategy thinker. Strategic thinking is about viewing the world and the organisation as an interdependent system.
Strategic thinking seeks to fill the gap between where the organisation wants to be and where it is at now. It connects the past, present and future. Clarity of the envisioned future and understanding of the current state enables strategic thinking to occur in context and flex as that context shifts – the path to the future is unlikely to be a direct one.
Finally, strategic thinking makes and tests assumptions about how the future will play out if particular actions are taken. It may work out perfectly. It may not. It may even spectacularly exceed expectations. The point is, the process is a dynamic one, pivoting as new information is known, contexts change and learning from experience occurs.
How do you Think Strategically?
Thinking strategically takes focus and time. Strategic thinkers intentionally take time out of the day-to-day. Strategic thinkers step back, reflect, make connections between the seemingly unconnected and they ask questions. They are focussed on the future. They challenge the status quo, and they challenge their own and other’s assumptions.
Thinking strategically is most effective when it is a team game. The more people that are involved, the more strategic thinking breadth and depth is created, and the more insights and perspectives are considered. It is in this collision of thinking that the greatest gains are made.
Some people naturally find thinking strategically easier than others. Anyone who has undertaken a psychometric or strengths-based assessment will know conceptual, big picture thinking is a natural preference or trait of some and not others. This doesn’t mean to say only those that find thinking strategically easier than others are the only ones that can think strategically. In the same way we find it hard but can get pretty good at writing with our ‘other’ hand, we can all develop the ability to think strategically.
Why Think Strategically?
Strategic thinking enables better decisions to be made, priorities to be set and trade-offs to be fully understood. The more strategic and aligned the choices you make, the better your time and resources are focussed on the things that will make the biggest difference to long-term, sustained organisational performance.
In Summary
Strategic thinking is about connecting the dots between information from a wide range of sources to fill the gap between where the organisation wants to be and where it is at now.
Strategic thinkers intentionally take time out of the day-to-day operational demands of their organisation. The more people that are involved in thinking strategically about your organisation, the more strategic thinking breadth and depth is created, and the more insights and perspectives are considered. It is in this collision of thinking that the greatest gains are made.
Take time out of the day-to-day and into the big-picture, Focus on the future. Connect with and engage others. Be curious and challenge the status quo. Think strategically.
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