Adela,
What are the steps you would follow to ensure that strategic thinking occurs?
Strategic thinking is also a process. Organization, observation, views, and driving forces are all part of this process which leads one to how business vision can be accomplished.
Wayne,
I like your focus on questioning and listening. I think good strategic thinkers also understand that strategic thinking and planning is a dynamic process that never stops. Strong strategic leaders continually listen,question assumptions, scan the environment both internally and externally, and make connections on how these things may impact their organization. Have you worked for someone that you would consider an outstanding strategic thinker? If so, what were the things you observed that made them a strong strategic leader?
Yes its a process.....
Ask questions, analyze, ask questions, analyze, and so on.....
The process not to follow is "assume whats been done or not" and make recommendations without knowing whats already been on/off the table or reinventing the wheel.
Ask probing questions to both leadership and peers to hone in on your target. Understanding the complexity, challenges, budget, timeline, or limitations in general will help both with questioning and analyzing for yeilding the best possible outcomes.
Eural,
I like your thinking here. I also think that strategic thinking requires a leader to scan the internal and external environment and to be able to understand the relationships between many factors that may impact your decision. It is somtimes difficult when we are caught up in our day to day operational activities to step back and think strategically about key decisions but it is essential to our personal and organizational success. Are there other things you see as critical to being a good strategic thinker?
Dr. Faulkner
Strategic thinking is definitely a process, as much as strategic planning. In order to plan strategically, it is absolutely essential that we think strategically.
The process of a strategic thinking is to process, possess and incorporate the characteristics of a strategic thinker. While understanding the relationship between thought and character. Seeing that relationship is a process,in and of one itself. Because over thoughts become over words written or spoken, our words become our habits,our habits develop our character and our character determines or destiny or destination.
Before making any final decision, or implementing any plan of action I would carefully step by step examine every thought with an analytical approach. I would be careful to never eliminate, but always embrace and nurture the specific personal traits, behaviors, attitudes and thinking skills necessary for strategic thinking and thinkers.
