|
|
|
|
|
Basic
Skills: Strategic Thinking (E)
by
Laurus Nobilis
|
What
is the role of Strategic Thinking? What are the
tips for development of Strategic Thinking?
|
| Back |
Posted:
June 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic
Thinking is the part of Ability to Lead group of
basic skills. This skill is
primarily managerial skill. The importance of this
skills grows with the rank within hierarchy.
Person
with developed Strategic Thinking skill considers
broader business context and is able to develop and
communicate objectives and requirements.
|
|
Key
Behavioral
Indicators
-
Maintains
an in-depth understanding of the organization's
strengths, weaknesses, and accessible resources.
-
Adopts
a long range perspective and can integrate
seemingly unrelated facts and processes and draw
value-added conclusions.
-
Ensures
that the pressure of day-to-day operations does
not interfere with the strategic planning
process.
-
Considers
organizational views, objectives, culture and
impact in the short and long term when making
decisions.
-
Understands
the effects of external market forces (e.g.
customers, partners, suppliers, political and
regulatory environment, competitors) on business
decisions.
-
Understands
the "current reality" when developing
strategy to achieve the destination.
-
Sets
milestones appropriate to the strategy
established
Tips
for Development
- Identify patterns
or connections between situations that are not
obviously related to identify key themes or
underlying issues in complex situations.
- Don't view each
problem, challenge or opportunity as a unique
event. Rather gather data, reflect on the
situation and use your knowledge, skills and
experience to explain the current situation you
are facing. Develop new conceptual models to
better understand the situation.
- Read business
case studies to develop strategic thinking and
to see how others achieved success in new or
complex situations.
- Analyze problems
and opportunities from a broad organizational perspective rather than focusing solely on your
area of responsibility. Help others think
"big picture" and realize those
actions that they take in one part of the organization
impact other parts of the organization and the organization
as a whole.
- Avoid reacting to
symptoms of problems. Dig deep to identify root
cause(s) and take appropriate corrective action.
- Read business
case studies to develop systemic thinking and to
see how others achieved success in new or
complex situations.
- Broaden the kinds
of materials that you read and look for linkages
between seemingly unconnected trends and ideas.
In addition to books and articles on business,
leadership and innovation, consider reading
history, drama, fiction and scientific works to
spark your creativity in new directions.
Consider reading biographies of well-known
innovators and reading detective stories.
- To gain a broader
perspective in issues and problems, apply the
suggestions below to current/future projects or
issues.
- Write your
answers and learning in a project or personal
log.
- Share your
findings and learning with your mentor, manager
and/or subordinates on a regular schedule.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
