Strategic Thinking

by Seth Sinclair

When people hear the terms “strategy,” or “strategic thinking,” they often think of visionary leaders such as Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, or Warren Buffett.  As a result, they have the mistaken belief that thinking strategically is something that’s beyond their capabilities, or above their level of responsibility.

Strategic thinking, however, can be as simple as becoming more in tune with how your decisions, and your actions, impact on your organization, and how those decisions and actions help your organization to reach its goals.  Everyone is capable of this kind of thinking.  Perhaps more importantly, taking a few simple steps can improve everyone’s abilities to think strategically.

Recently, I gave a talk at a strategic retreat hosted by one of SAG’s clients. Part of my talk covered issues related to strategic thinking: what it is, how it can be fostered, and what the barriers to thinking in this way may be. 

Essentially, strategic thinking is a broad, long-range approach to problem solving and decision-making.  Characteristics of strategic thinking include objective analysis, thinking ahead, and sound planning.

Almost to a person, great leaders are strategic thinkers.  They use their skills in this area every single day. These leaders have the ability to look at decisions before they are made and discern their impact on their organizations on every part of their organization, and on their customers and the public at large. 

Leaders with sound strategic thinking skills are also able to evaluate the impact of their decisions over time: not only what will happen immediately, but also what the effect of those decisions will be six months, a year, even three to five years from now.

How do they do this?  Strategic thinkers set aside time for planning sessions, both by themselves and with groups.  They seek out every opportunity to learn more about the industry they are in; the market for their products; their customers’ likes and dislikes; and new technologies that may change their organizations’ future.  They constantly share information with others, both within their company and with others in their profession.

Most of the best strategic thinkers have, or have had, had mentors and coaches to help them clarify their vision, evaluate their priorities and values, and hold themselves accountable to their goals. They are open to learning new things, and to the suggestions and best thoughts of others.

Obstacles that can get in the way of sound strategic thinking include the problem that tactical responses to immediate demands are often rewarded over long-term vision and planning.  Some leaders are not able to prioritize, and cannot accept that some projects they or others believe are important must be left behind to focus on others.

Some organizations focus too much on productivity, and too little on vision.  As the management consultant and writer Peter Drucker once wrote, “there is nothing quite so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” 

And some leaders are simply unable to make decisions.  In the words of the nineteenth-century French emperor Napoleon, “nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”

Being a good strategic thinker will help you, and the organization for which you work, to accomplish goals more quickly.  Organizations that encourage sound strategic thinking are proactive, not reactive.  They are able to make the best uses of their resources, quickly take advantage of opportunities that present themselves, and solve problems instead of letting them fester and grow.  In short, organizations that encourage strategic thinking have a better chance of being successful.

To summarize, improve your strategic thinking skills by building in time to plan, alone and with others; stay on top of developments in your organization and your field of business; keep in touch with your customers: share your information with others; keep on learning; and get a coach or a mentor to help you in your efforts.  The time and effort you put in will be well worth it.