Becoming a strategic thinker involves developing a specific mindset and skillset to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and plan for the future holistically and effectively. Here are some steps you can take to cultivate strategic thinking:

• Think Beyond Your Department and Silo: Strategic thinking requires a solid understanding of various business units, fields, and trends. You don’t need to become an expert at everything; you need to understand the critical drivers for each department and silo and what drives their effort and successes. Read books, articles, and research papers that cover a wide range of topics. This diverse knowledge will help you connect seemingly unrelated concepts, which is crucial for strategic thinking.
• Become a Critical Thinker: Develop the ability to analyze information objectively. This strategic skill includes questioning assumptions and identifying biases. Critical thinking helps you see the bigger picture and make informed decisions based on evidence rather than gut feelings.
• Align your Actions with Clear Goals: Define your personal and professional goals. Strategic thinking involves aligning your actions with your long-term objectives. This clarity enables you to make decisions that support your overarching vision.
• Analyze Past Decisions: Regularly review your past decisions and outcomes. Identify patterns, successes, and failures. This retrospective analysis will help you learn from experience and refine your strategic approach.
• Listen to Diverse Perspectives: Strive to understand various viewpoints and consider how your decisions might affect different stakeholders. Listen to understand how decisions impact all levels of the hierarchy. This broad perspective will help you anticipate challenges and opportunities more effectively.
• Use Scenario Planning: Practice scenario planning by imagining different possible futures and assessing your decisions in each scenario. This exercise hones your ability to adapt your strategies to changing circumstances.
• Develop a Long-Term Vision: A strategic thinker always focuses on the “next” and never allows complacency to intercede. Think beyond short-term goals and focus on the long-term vision. Consider where you want to be in three to five years and work backward to create a roadmap.
• Learn from Others: Study the strategic thinking processes of successful individuals, leaders, and organizations. Observe how they approach challenges, adapt to changes, and make decisions aligning with their goals. An excellent book to learn is “Call Sign Chaos” by General Mattis. He talks about the evolution of his leadership through his storied career.
• Embrace Uncertainty: Strategic thinking involves making decisions in ambiguous and uncertain situations. Learn to tolerate discomfort and take calculated risks while maintaining flexibility to adapt as new information emerges.
• Collaboration and Networking: Engage with people from diverse backgrounds and industries. Collaborating with others can provide fresh perspectives and ideas that you might not have considered on your own. A lesson I learned many years ago was, “The higher up you get in an organization, the less you know of what is happening on the frontline.”
• Stay Curious: Be committed to lifelong learning. Attend workshops, seminars, and online courses to enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
• Practice Decision-Making: Use decision-making exercises and simulations to sharpen your strategic thinking abilities. Develop mindfulness and self-awareness techniques to understand your thought processes and emotional reactions better. This awareness will help you make decisions more aligned with your values and goals.
• Seek Feedback: Create a safe environment allowing others to provide constructive feedback. Seek insights from your boss, peers, direct reports, mentor, and coach; they can offer insights into your blind spots and help you refine your strategic thinking approach.
• Reflect, Reflect, Reflect: Schedule for introspection and self-assessment. Reflect on your progress, challenges, and growth as a strategic thinker. Learn to be critically honest while balancing the good and the bad.

Remember that becoming a strategic thinker is a journey that requires intentionality, dedication, practice, and adaptability. Over time, you’ll refine your skills and develop a mindset that allows you to navigate complex situations with confidence and foresight.

To Get a Seat at the Table, Become a Strategic Thinker

Becoming a strategic thinker involves developing a specific mindset and skillset to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and plan for the future holistically and effectively. Here are some steps you can take to cultivate strategic thinking:

• Think Beyond Your Department and Silo: Strategic thinking requires a solid understanding of various business units, fields, and trends. You don’t need to become an expert at everything; you need to understand the critical drivers for each department and silo and what drives their effort and successes. Read books, articles, and research papers that cover a wide range of topics. This diverse knowledge will help you connect seemingly unrelated concepts, which is crucial for strategic thinking.
• Become a Critical Thinker: Develop the ability to analyze information objectively. This strategic skill includes questioning assumptions and identifying biases. Critical thinking helps you see the bigger picture and make informed decisions based on evidence rather than gut feelings.
• Align your Actions with Clear Goals: Define your personal and professional goals. Strategic thinking involves aligning your actions with your long-term objectives. This clarity enables you to make decisions that support your overarching vision.
• Analyze Past Decisions: Regularly review your past decisions and outcomes. Identify patterns, successes, and failures. This retrospective analysis will help you learn from experience and refine your strategic approach.
• Listen to Diverse Perspectives: Strive to understand various viewpoints and consider how your decisions might affect different stakeholders. Listen to understand how decisions impact all levels of the hierarchy. This broad perspective will help you anticipate challenges and opportunities more effectively.
• Use Scenario Planning: Practice scenario planning by imagining different possible futures and assessing your decisions in each scenario. This exercise hones your ability to adapt your strategies to changing circumstances.
• Develop a Long-Term Vision: A strategic thinker always focuses on the “next” and never allows complacency to intercede. Think beyond short-term goals and focus on the long-term vision. Consider where you want to be in three to five years and work backward to create a roadmap.
• Learn from Others: Study the strategic thinking processes of successful individuals, leaders, and organizations. Observe how they approach challenges, adapt to changes, and make decisions aligning with their goals. An excellent book to learn is “Call Sign Chaos” by General Mattis. He talks about the evolution of his leadership through his storied career.
• Embrace Uncertainty: Strategic thinking involves making decisions in ambiguous and uncertain situations. Learn to tolerate discomfort and take calculated risks while maintaining flexibility to adapt as new information emerges.
• Collaboration and Networking: Engage with people from diverse backgrounds and industries. Collaborating with others can provide fresh perspectives and ideas that you might not have considered on your own. A lesson I learned many years ago was, “The higher up you get in an organization, the less you know of what is happening on the frontline.”
• Stay Curious: Be committed to lifelong learning. Attend workshops, seminars, and online courses to enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
• Practice Decision-Making: Use decision-making exercises and simulations to sharpen your strategic thinking abilities. Develop mindfulness and self-awareness techniques to understand your thought processes and emotional reactions better. This awareness will help you make decisions more aligned with your values and goals.
• Seek Feedback: Create a safe environment allowing others to provide constructive feedback. Seek insights from your boss, peers, direct reports, mentor, and coach; they can offer insights into your blind spots and help you refine your strategic thinking approach.
• Reflect, Reflect, Reflect: Schedule for introspection and self-assessment. Reflect on your progress, challenges, and growth as a strategic thinker. Learn to be critically honest while balancing the good and the bad.

Remember that becoming a strategic thinker is a journey that requires intentionality, dedication, practice, and adaptability. Over time, you’ll refine your skills and develop a mindset that allows you to navigate complex situations with confidence and foresight.