Making Strategic Thinking Accessible to All

High position in hierarchy and title alone do not make anyone a strategic thinker. Traditionally, strategic thinking has been considered the prerogative of leaders – where leaders plan and envision, and the rest of the organization executes. We live in a digital age where old leadership models no longer apply. Hyperchange is here, bringing with it many simultaneous changes. The foundation of competitiveness is shifting in a dynamic environment. We need strategic thinking to understand the dynamics of these changes and to create a vision of how our company will succeed amidst the disruptions of the future. Strategic thinking is not the privilege of a few; it is a necessity throughout the organization.

The Different Dimensions of Strategic Thinking

What does strategic thinking really mean? It's not just about analyzing financial numbers and predicting the future. It's not about using strategic models and facilitating strategy workshops, although these tools are used in the strategic process. Strategic thinking means the ability to move through different dimensions, to change perspectives flexibly, and to learn both as an individual and as part of a group. It also includes creativity and the ability to imagine something that doesn't yet exist. Strategic thinking brings out the invisible through conceptual models and concepts.

Time Travel: Future - Present - Past

Strategic thinking means the ability to shift focus away from daily operational challenges and towards a distant future. It's the ability to imagine things that haven't happened yet and to understand how to get there. At the same time, it requires an understanding of the past and the current situation. A strategic thinker moves smoothly between different dimensions of time and knows how to leverage past experiences, the present, and future visions.

Changing Levels of Abstraction: Macro and Micro Perspectives

Is your focus on the tiny details of a flower petal, or are you standing on a mountaintop looking at the expansive landscape below? Strategic thinking requires the ability to change perspectives and move between levels of abstraction. It involves understanding both the big picture and delving into the details. An experienced strategic thinker can move vertically between different levels of abstraction and comprehend what it takes to implement grand visions and strategies in practice. This ability is crucial for leadership, which demands both visionary thinking and an understanding of the minutiae.

Broad-Mindedness: Expanding Horizons

Industry boundaries are blurring, and competitors may come from anywhere. Customers no longer limit their comparisons to within a single industry; they compare experiences with world-class players who prioritize customer experience. Therefore, it's essential to be open to new perspectives and to see beyond your own industry. Broad-mindedness and the ability to learn from different fields are crucial in today's leadership. Those who remain confined within their industry's boundaries may fall behind in terms of innovation and new opportunities. Successful organizations boldly look beyond boundaries, find inspiration in various approaches, and apply best practices to their own business.

Anyone Can Develop Their Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking isn't something you're born with; it's developed through experiences, reflection, unlearning, and learning anew. Technology enables possibilities that we can't even imagine yet. We need more strategic and creative thinking to fully harness the new opportunities technology brings. Rather than limiting strategic thinking to a select few, we should focus on developing the organization's ability to think strategically at all levels. Everyone can be a strategic thinker within their own sphere of influence within the organization. Together, we can create a stronger and more competitive organization.