strategic and critical thinking examples

35 Strategic Thinking Examples

Strategic thinking refers to a mental or cognitive process utilized by individuals to plan for the future. It involves an analytical approach that aims to address, decipher, and solve complex problems by making decisions that align with one’s overall objectives and long-term vision.

A person engaged in strategic thinking focuses on the big picture. They see the forest rather than the trees. They consider multiple variables and interconnected parts when formulating strategies (Camerer, Ho & Chong, 2015; Dhir, Dhir & Samanta, 2018).

Strategic thinking also help us to anticipate potential scenarios and navigate them effectively (Covington, 2014). They prepare for a range of outcomes to maximize returns and minimize risks.

If you want to demonstrate your strategic thinking skills for a resume, cover letter, interview, and so on, it’s best to reflect on some real-life scenarios where you’ve planned ahead and made strategic decisions that have benefited you or your organization. Some examples to stimulate your reflection are provided below.

Strategic Thinking Examples

1. task prioritization.

This example entails the conscious ordering or ranking of tasks according to their urgency and importance.

You may be familiar with the logic of Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important Principle here. Activities with impending deadlines are typically considered urgent, while those with significant consequences if not done (regardless of their deadlines) are deemed important.

For instance, if you need to make a critical presentation to stakeholders next week (urgent) and also schedule annual appraisals for your team (important), you’d have to decide which takes precedence based on how significant the outcomes would be on your career or your team (Martin, 2017).

2. Efficient Resource Allocation

The purpose of efficient resource allocation is to ensure that each team member’s skills, time, and effort, as well as potential tangible resources, are distributed in a way that can maximize the project’s efficiency and output.

As an example, you have a project that requires both design and coding work. You choose to assign the design task to the team member with a strong visual skillset, and the coding job to the one with keen logical reasoning and programming skills.

Such resource allocation ensures that team members are working to their strengths, improving both work pace and output quality.

3. Timing your Input During a Team Meeting

This involves understanding the dynamics within a meeting and discerning the appropriate moment to introduce a new suggestion or instigate a change (Owen, 2014).

By comprehending the flow of the discussion, the emotions in the room, and the openness of other participants, you can pick the best moment to propose your idea, thus increasing its chances of acceptance.

For instance, you notice that colleagues are more receptive to new ideas just after they’ve successfully solved a difficult issue in a meeting. Seizing this moment of positivity, you bring up your suggestion for improving the workflow process, leading to the team giving it serious consideration.

4. Analyzing Customer Feedback

This form of strategic thinking involves gathering, reviewing, and interpreting feedback from customers to identify areas for product or service improvement.

Imagine you’re the head of a technology firm, and you’ve received numerous complaints regarding the speed and user interface of your latest software product. Instead of dismissing these issues, you interpret this feedback as a chance to upgrade your system’s functionality. By weighing various solution options and considering the potential benefits vs. inherent risks, you decide to invest in an improved version that enhances both product speed and design. By doing this, you increase user satisfaction and, in turn, company sales.

5. Delegating Tasks Based on Strengths and Expertise

This approach to strategic thinking involves assessing and understanding the skill-sets and expertise of your team members, and assigning tasks to individuals based not only on their job position, but on their unique strengths and skills.

Picture yourself as a project manager. You are overseeing a project that involves research, creativity, and meticulous data analysis . You know Chris on your team is an imaginative powerhouse who thrives when asked to think outside the box, while Jane eats spreadsheets and data analysis for breakfast. Despite Chris originally being hired for an analytics role, and Jane for a creative one, you switch their roles for this project.

This demonstrates the strategic decision to delegate tasks not based on predefined roles, but on personal strengths. It optimizes your team’s performance, ensures a more engaged staff, and increases the quality of work output (Hwang & Lockwood, 2006).

6. Setting Long-Term and Short-Term Goals

This involves defining clear, measurable objectives that are then broken down into shorter, more immediately achievable targets.

Suppose you’re the department head of a manufacturing company that wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% over the next five years. A strategic thinker would break down this significant long-term goal into a series of more manageable, short-term targets.

For example, you could plan to reduce emissions by just 3% for the first year, then aim to increase this rate year by year once initial strategies are in place and functioning well (Bas, 2011). This strategic goal setting approach sets a clear direction and allows for manageable progress towards an ambitious end goal.

7. Analyzing Past Sales Data

This strategic thinking process is all about using historical sales data to forecast future trends, make business decisions, and adjust inventory accordingly.

Here’s a concrete example: you run a retail outlet that sells winter gear. Over the past few years, you’ve noticed a spike in sales of wool socks during November. In anticipation of this trend recurring, you adjust your inventory to ensure you hold sufficient stock when customers begin their winter shopping spree (Lee, Padmanabhan & Whang, 2004). This strategic thinking enables you to meet customer needs effectively while also maximizing your profits.

8. Selecting the Best Method of Communication

In this scenario, strategic thinking is about considering the nuances of your message and choosing the right channel to communicate it.

Imagine you run a non-profit organization. You’ve received a sizeable donation, and now you have a crucial decision to make. Will you send an email, make a phone call, or arrange a face-to-face meeting to express your thanks? Understanding the importance and sensitivity of saying ‘thank you’, you decide to do it in-person, to communicate your genuine gratitude effectively to the donor (Kaiser & Hogan, 2010).

9. Planning Team-Building Activities

This reflects strategic thinking in terms of enhancing team dynamics, where you plan activities to foster a better collaborative environment and improve morale.

Consider you’re the team leader, and you notice that your team members seem to work independently rather than collaborate, leading to miscommunication and workflow bottlenecks. To remedy this, you decide to plan a team-building retreat with activities that promote collaborative problem solving, trust-building, and friendly competition. These activities are strategically chosen to improve communication, rapport, and lead to a more cohesive unit.

10. Evaluating the Cost-Benefit of Attending a Workshop

This instance of strategic thinking entails conducting a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether attending a professional workshop or conference would yield valuable returns for you or your organization.

Suppose you come across a workshop that promises to impart cutting-edge strategies in digital marketing. You realize that the registration fee is quite hefty and would also require a couple of days away from work.

Now, instead of making an impulsive decision, you reflect on whether the benefits, such as knowledge acquisition, networking opportunities, and potential for enhanced business growth, outweigh the money and time investment. Considering the digital wave impacting today’s marketing trends, you decide to go ahead and attend it, seeing it as an investment in long-term business growth and personal development (Souitaris, Maestro, & Micelotta, 2007).

This shows strategic thinking in terms of evaluating the costs and benefits of an opportunity and making decisions that align with your broader professional objectives.

11. Course Selection at College for Career Goals

Strategic thinking in this context revolves around choosing academic courses that not only captivate your interest but also align with your career aspirations .

Imagine you are a college student with an inclination towards environmental conservation and sustainable development. You aspire to a career in environmental policy forming. As part of your course selection, you selectively choose subjects that focus on global environmental law, policy-making, and sustainable development theories, along with a minor in political science.

This example demonstrates how strategically thinking about your long-term career goals helps shape your immediate academic choices, setting the stage for landing your dream job post-graduation (Sin, Jones & Moore, 2008).

12. Forming Strategic Study Groups at College

This showcases strategizing aimed at enhancing learning experiences and academic performance through the formation of effective study groups.

You’re a college student taking a particularly challenging cryptography course. You acknowledge specific areas in which you struggle and identify fellow students who excel in those areas. You approach them with the strategic idea of forming a study group where you all can share different strengths and learn from each other.

Moreover, you ensure to keep the groups small (3-4 people), based on studies like Cohen (1994) which indicate that smaller groups foster more meaningful discussions and engagement. This strategic decision assists all group members in strengthening their understanding of the course material, positively impacting their academic performance.

13. Market Gap Identification

This instance of strategic thinking concerns the process of identifying unmet needs or deficiencies in the marketplace that a new product or service could fulfill.

Imagine you run a tech company. During intense research of the market, you realize many seniors struggle with the complexity of modern smartphones. Sensing an opportunity (market gap), you decide to create a user-friendly phone specifically designed for the elderly, with simplified features and larger font settings.

This decision is an example of a strategic response to identify and potentially fill a gap in the market (Spanjol, Tam, & Tam, 2015). Your company can take advantage of this exciting opportunity, leading to increased market share and improved brand reputation.

14. Product-Market Fit Analysis

Strategic thinking in this situation involves assessing whether your product or service aligns well with the current market demand.

Take the case of a Virtual Reality (VR) gaming company. The company has two product lines – one for the mass market with basic VR experiences, and another premium one that delivers high-immersion gaming experiences technically advanced users. Knowing that the majority of the target market is still not accustomed to complex VR controls, the company strategically emphasizes its basic VR line, aiming for volume sales.

Moreover, the company markets the premium line as a niche product for tech enthusiasts (Markides & Sosa, 2013). This strategic choice is driven by a sound understanding of product-market fit and enables the company to effectively meet diverging consumer needs and improve overall business performance.

15. Strategic Brand Positioning

This scenario highlights the strategic thinking involved in defining a unique value proposition and establishing a solid position in the minds of consumers.

Suppose you operate a premium organic coffee company in a competitive market. In order to distinguish your brand from the competition, you strategically position it as not just selling organic coffee, but promoting a lifestyle of wellness , sustainability, and sophistication.

Your unique selling proposition (USP) is that your coffee beans are locally sourced and ethically produced, you use environmentally friendly packaging, and your brand values align with many consumers’ growing concern for sustainability.

The resultant brand positioning ensures your brand’s perceived distinctiveness, aligning with the consumers who value both quality and environmental conscientiousness (Kirchgeorg, Krey, & Heitmann, 2012). This strategic positioning attracts a particular target audience, builds strong customer relationships, and promotes brand loyalty.

Skills Needed for Strategic Thinkers

16. Analytical Ability: Analytical ability pertains to one’s capacity to assess a situation or problem, dissect it into smaller more manageable chunks, and examine these parts in order to gain a better understanding. This skill aids in breaking down complex issues, making them more understandable and therefore easier to tackle strategically.

17. Problem-Solving : Problem-solving is the ability to navigate through obstacles or challenges, identify effective solutions and implement them in a timely manner. This skill is an essential part of strategic thinking as it involves taking calculated steps to address and overcome issues that may deter the progression of an individual or organization.

18. Critical Thinking : Critical thinking involves questioning assumptions, evaluating different perspectives, and justifying one’s reasoning or decisions based on evidence. It’s integral to strategic thinking, as it enables informed and balanced decisions that align with long-term objectives.

19. Forecasting: Forecasting entails predicting future trends or events based on past and present data. In strategic thinking, forecasting helps to anticipate possible future scenarios, ensuring plans are robust and can adapt to a range of potential outcomes.

20. Flexibility & Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability involve adjusting plans or responses as situations change. This skill is vital for strategic thinkers, as it allows them to update their strategies in response to unexpected events or new information.

21. Visionary Mindset: A visionary mindset involves the ability to envision future possibilities, create innovative ideas, and inspire others with this vision. It is crucial in strategic thinking as it guides the direction of strategic planning, setting the course for future actions.

22. Holistic Understanding: Holistic understanding refers to the ability to view a situation as a whole, recognizing the interconnectedness of different elements. In strategic thinking, this skill ensures a comprehensive view of challenges and opportunities, fostering effective decision-making .

23. Prioritization: Prioritization involves distinguishing between tasks based on their urgency and impact, and then ordering them accordingly. In strategic thinking, this skill aids in focusing resources and efforts on the most crucial aspects first, promoting productive work or maturation of plans.

24. Active Listening : Active listening involves giving full attention to the speaker, understanding their message, and providing appropriate feedback. In strategic thinking, this skill ensures comprehension of different perspectives or novel ideas, leading to informed strategic decisions.

25. Decisiveness: Decisiveness is the ability to make firm decisions quickly. In strategic thinking, being decisive is paramount, as it ensures timely implementation of strategies, keeping pace with the dynamic environment.

26. Empathy & Perspective Taking : Empathy and perspective taking involve understanding another’s perspective and responding with emotional intelligence. In strategic thinking, these skills can promote better collaboration and decision-making adjusted to stakeholders’ needs and feelings.

27. Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Curiosity entails having a strong desire to learn and understand, while continuous learning involves a commitment to regularly update and improve one’s knowledge and skills. In strategic thinking, these traits stimulate exploration of new ideas and approaches, keeping strategies fresh and responsive to changing contexts.

28. Synthesizing Information: Synthesizing information is the ability to explore various sources of data and combine these in a meaningful way. In strategic thinking, this skill helps in making sense of complex data, contributing to sound and informed decision making.

29. Long-term Planning: Long-term planning involves setting goals for the future and devising strategies to achieve them. In strategic thinking, long-term planning allows for the sustained achievement of objectives, giving foresight and direction to immediate actions.

30. Scenario Planning: Scenario planning is the process of forecasting future possibilities and designing appropriate responses. In strategic thinking, this skill aids in preparing for numerous outcomes, ensuring resilience in the face of change and uncertainty.

31. Risk Management & Assessment: Risk management and assessment involve identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and devising methods to mitigate them. In strategic thinking, this skill ensures plans are robust and adaptable, maintaining progress even when risks emerge.

32. Resource Allocation: Resource Allocation involves assigning resources (like time, money, or staff) to tasks, based on their importance and expected impact. In strategic thinking, efficient resource allocation can optimize productivity and effectiveness while minimizing waste.

33. Systems Thinking: Systems thinking involves understanding how different elements within a system interrelate and influence each other over time. As part of strategic thinking, this skill allows for more comprehensive and effective strategies that consider the broader context and relationships between components.

34. Collaboration & Teamwork : Collaboration and teamwork involve working effectively with others towards a shared goal. In strategic thinking, these skills facilitate a productive exchange of ideas, collective problem-solving, and effective implementation of strategies.

35. Effective Communication : Effective communication involves clearly expressing ideas, questions, and decisions, while also receiving and understanding others’ input properly. In strategic thinking, effective communication ensures alignment of team understanding, fostering informed and collective decision-making.

Strategic thinking is the practice of preparing for the future by making informed decisions based on long-term vision. It involves forecasting, ideation, evaluation, and application, with the ultimate aim of achieving success in an evolving world. To demonstrate your strategic thinking skills, consider the ways you have thought ahead and planned accordingly in a variety of contexts, including in the workplace, entrepreneurship, school, or even justnavigating challenging life situations.

Camerer, C. F., Ho, T. H., & Chong, J. K. (2015). A psychological approach to strategic thinking in games.  Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences ,  3 , 157-162. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.04.005

Covington, M. V. (2014). Strategic thinking and the fear of failure . In J. Segal, S. Chipman, & R. Glasser (Eds.)  Thinking and learning skills  (pp. 389-416). London: Routledge.

Dhir, S., Dhir, S., & Samanta, P. (2018). Defining and developing a scale to measure strategic thinking.  Foresight ,  20 (3), 271-288. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-10-2017-0059

Dionisio, M. A. (2017). Strategic thinking: The role in successful management.  Journal of Management Research ,  9 (4), 44-57.

Shaik, A. S., & Dhir, S. (2020). A meta-analytical review of factors affecting the strategic thinking of an organization.  foresight ,  22 (2), 144-177. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-08-2019-0076

Toma, S. G., Marinescu, P., & Gradinaru, C. (2016). Strategic planning and strategic thinking.  Revista Economica ,  68 (5), 168-175.

Young, L. (2016). Developing strategic thinking.  Australian army journal ,  13 (2), 5-22.

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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Animism Examples
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4 Ways to Develop Your Strategic Thinking Skills

• 10 Sep 2020

Think back to the last time you participated in a strategic planning meeting for your organization. You were likely presented with a challenge to solve or goal to achieve.

Do you remember your contributions during that meeting? Did you offer compelling ideas and plot a course of action, or find it difficult to think strategically and develop a solution? Did you have a good idea, but struggle to communicate it in a logical way? Were you an active participant in the conversation, or did others helm it?

Strategic thinking skills are among the most highly sought-after management competencies. Why? Because employees capable of thinking critically, logically, and strategically can have a tremendous impact on a business’s trajectory.

If you want to improve your strategic thinking skills, the good news is that, with the right mindset and practice, you can.

Here are four ways to improve your strategy skills , so the next time you’re involved in a strategic planning meeting, you can ensure your contributions are noticed.

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What Are Strategic Thinking Skills?

Strategic thinking skills are any skills that enable you to use critical thinking to solve complex problems and plan for the future. These skills are essential to accomplish business objectives, overcome obstacles, and address challenges—particularly if they’re projected to take weeks, months, or even years to achieve.

Strategic thinking skills include:

• Analytical skills: To ideate a strategy that helps your organization reach its objectives, you must be capable of analyzing a variety of inputs—from financial statements and KPIs , to market conditions, emerging business trends, and internal resource allocation. This initial analysis is crucial to creating a strategy that aligns with the current reality facing your organization.
• Communication skills: Putting a strategy into place for your company, regardless of its size, requires solid communication skills . The ability to communicate complex ideas, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, build consensus, and ensure everyone is aligned and working toward shared goals are all central to strategic thinking.
• Problem-solving skills: Strategic planning is often used to solve problems or address challenges, such as missed financial targets, inefficient workflows, or an emerging competitor. Implementing a strategy that addresses the central challenge you face requires you to first understand the problem and its potential solutions. From there, you can craft a strategy that solves it.
• Planning and management skills: Strategy isn’t just about thinking of a solution—it involves implementation, too. Once data has been analyzed, the problem is understood, and a solution has been identified, you need strong planning and management skills to bring everything together.

How to Improve Your Strategic Thinking Skills

1. ask strategic questions.

If you want to improve your strategic thinking skills, one of the simplest things you can do is ask more strategic questions. Doing so allows you to exercise your planning skills, become adept at spotting opportunities, and develop a more strategic mindset you can leverage throughout your career.

According to the Harvard Business School Online course Disruptive Strategy , strategic questions can relate to a challenge, opportunity, or ambiguity you face in your current situation, whether personal or professional. They might, for instance, relate to launching a new business or product, beating a competitor, or structuring your organization for innovation.

It’s also important that your questions apply to your role and responsibilities so you can act on them.

Some examples of strategic questions you might ask include:

• How can we strategically position ourselves to enter a new market?
• What’s the direction for growth for each of our products or services?
• Where will the organization's growth come from in the next five years, and how does it compare with where growth has historically come from?
• How should the organization respond to the threat presented by potentially disruptive competitors ?

2. Observe and Reflect

In addition to asking strategic questions, you need to answer and address them skillfully. One of the most effective ways of accomplishing this is to observe and reflect on your current situation, ensuring any strategy you conceive is grounded in facts.

For example, imagine that the business you work for has begun losing market share for one of its products among its traditional customers. At the same time, it’s gained market share from an entirely new customer base. It’s easy to assume why this might be happening, but doing so can lead you down the wrong path at a critical moment in your organization’s existence.

Instead of blindly following an assumption, gather as much information as possible to use when crafting your strategy. For example, this might include conducting user interviews with new customers to identify the different jobs they hire your product to perform.

Understanding why new customers are attracted to your product can enable you to tailor your marketing strategy and product development to better embrace their needs .

3. Consider Opposing Ideas

Once you’ve landed on a strategy that can help your organization reach its goals, question your assumptions, and put your hypothesis through rigorous testing. By doing so, you can ensure you’re not overlooking another possibility.

Playing devil’s advocate with your ideas can allow you to preemptively identify weaknesses in your argument, and equip you to defend your strategy when others ask questions. It can also help you sharpen the logic skills you need to communicate and execute your strategy.

To develop this skill, get in the habit of questioning yourself any time you’re about to make an assertion. Should you consider a different perspective? Is there another possibility you may have overlooked?

4. Embrace Formal Training

By practicing the methods described above, you can improve your strategic thinking skills at your own pace. However, there are other learning options you can pursue.

If you need to quickly ramp up your strategy skills—to address a pressing need your organization is facing, position yourself for a new role, or finally launch your own business—formal training might be your best option.

For example, by enrolling in the online course Disruptive Strategy , you can discover how to make innovation a reality for your organization. Over six weeks, you’ll learn about the jobs to be done framework and disruptive innovation theory, and build skills to identify and execute high-level strategy.

Cultivating a Strategic Mindset

Whether in the long- or short-term, a strategic mindset can be developed through self-exploration, critical questioning, and formal training.

The advantage of having a strategic mindset is learning how to think rather than what to think. Although you might not always have the right answers, strategic thinking skills can empower you to spot new opportunities, address emerging challenges, and plan for future success.

Are you looking to develop a strategic mindset? Explore our portfolio of online strategy courses and download the free flowchart to determine which is the best fit for you and your goals.

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Strategic Thinking Definition, Skills, Examples, and Steps

Published: 29 January, 2024

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Welcome to Digital Leadership, where we are committed to harnessing emerging technologies and innovative business models to better serve customers. As experts in innovation and digital transformation, our mission is to guide organizations in creating value for all stakeholders, supporting them from strategic conceptualization to effective execution. The ability to think strategically is a cornerstone for success, strategic thinking centres on discovering and cultivating distinctive opportunities to enhance organizational value.

Digital Leadership’s expertise in strategy and execution, invites business entrepreneurs to delve deeper into the realms of strategic thinking for enduring success. We provide Strategic Management Consulting services to empower businesses to elevate their strategic acumen and navigate the complex landscape of value creation . Through collaborative initiatives, we guide organizations in unlocking unique opportunities and ensuring enduring success in today’s dynamic business environment.

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Corporate training, innovation consulting and much more.

This article delves into the intricacies of strategic thinking , outlining its definition, key characteristics, and its vital role in both leadership and business. We will explore the steps to develop strategic thinking skills and provide real-life examples to illustrate its application. As we navigate through this exploration, we will differentiate strategic thinking from strategic planning and highlight its significance in digital transformation strategy.

What is Strategic Thinking?

Strategic thinking is centred on identifying and cultivating distinctive opportunities that can generate value for your organization. It asserts that even non-statistically significant data in various forms deserves thorough consideration to inform decisions about the future. It is a multifaceted concept that goes beyond mere planning. It involves the ability to analyze situations, anticipate future trends, and make informed decisions that contribute to an organization’s long-term success.

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The UNITE Perspectives On Strategy – A Framework For Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is a crucial element of effective leadership, involving the ability to envision and plan for the future while navigating the complexities of the present. It goes beyond day-to-day tasks, focusing on long-term business goals and adapting to dynamic environments. Strategic thinking and strategic planning, while interconnected, serve distinct roles in organizational development and decision-making. Strategic thinking is a continuous and dynamic mental activity that envisions the future, identifies opportunities, and fosters innovation. It emphasizes creativity, adaptability, and a proactive mindset, laying the conceptual foundation for an organization’s direction.

Strategic planning is a systematic process that translates strategic thinking into actionable plans. It involves setting specific goals, defining measurable objectives, and outlining the steps and resources needed for implementation. While strategic thinking explores possibilities and challenges assumptions, strategic planning focuses on specific actions, resource allocation, and timelines. Strategic thinking is future-oriented and adaptable, providing the vision upon which strategic planning builds the roadmap for organizational development. Both are essential components, working collaboratively to navigate the complexities of the business landscape.

At Digital Leadership, strategic thinking is perceived as the art of proactively shaping an organization’s future. This involves anticipating challenges, recognizing opportunities, and aligning resources effectively. To delve deeper into the intricacies of strategic thinking and its role in crafting innovative business strategies , explore the insights provided in our book, “How to Create Innovation.” It serves as a comprehensive guide, offering valuable perspectives on navigating the dynamic landscape of strategic decision-making and fostering a culture of innovation within your organization.

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Strategic Thinking Skills

Enhancing strategic thinking skills is crucial for effective decision-making and leadership. Here are key skills compiled from various sources:

• Active Listening: Engage attentively to comprehend diverse perspectives.
• Analytical Skills: Utilize data and insights to make informed decisions.
• Implement the Plan: Execute strategies efficiently to achieve business goals.
• Observing and Seeking Trends: Stay vigilant to identify emerging patterns and trends.
• Question Everything: Foster a questioning mindset to challenge assumptions.
• Strategic Thinking: Cultivate the ability to envision and plan for the future.
• Understand the Consequences: Evaluate potential outcomes and impacts.
• Articulate Your Goals Clearly: Clearly express your objectives for better alignment.
• Being Creative: Embrace creativity to generate innovative solutions.
• Communicate Clearly: Convey ideas and strategies with clarity.
• Consider Opposing Ideas: Encourage diverse viewpoints for comprehensive decision-making.
• Critical Thinking: Assess information objectively to make well-founded decisions.
• Get Other Perspectives: Seek input from different sources to broaden your understanding.
• Learn and Improve: Embrace a continuous learning mindset for personal and professional growth.
• Vision and Purpose: Align decisions with a clear vision and overarching purpose.
• Prioritization: Effectively prioritize tasks and goals based on strategic importance.
• Adaptability: Be flexible and adapt strategies to changing circumstances.
• Ask Strategic Questions: Pose insightful questions to deepen strategic insights.
• Be Aware of Bias: Recognize and mitigate personal biases in decision-making.
• Analysis: Break down complex situations into manageable components for analysis.
• Scenario Planning: Anticipate potential scenarios and plan accordingly.

These skills collectively contribute to developing a robust strategic thinking mindset, essential for navigating complex business landscapes.

How to Develop Strategic Thinking Skills

Acquiring the art of strategic thinking is a developed skill, not an innate talent. This section outlines practical steps to guide individuals in enhancing their strategic thinking skills . Tailored for aspiring strategic thinkers and leaders, these steps offer valuable insights to successfully navigate the complexities of the business landscape.

(1) Pose Thoughtful Queries for Strategic Insights

Challenge conventional wisdom by formulating insightful questions that stimulate critical thinking, fostering a deeper understanding of issues and encouraging innovative solutions.

(2) Observe, Reflect, and Stay Informed

Allocate time to observe industry trends and changes, reflecting on these observations to gain valuable insights that inform strategic decisions.

(3) Embrace Diverse Perspectives Through Opposing Ideas

Foster a culture that values diverse viewpoints, actively seeking and considering opposing ideas to formulate well-rounded and robust strategic plans.

(4) Invest in Continuous Learning and Professional Development

Systematically refine strategic thinking skills through continuous learning. Enroll in courses, workshops, or programs dedicated to enhancing strategic thinking.

(5) Master Your Organization and Industry Dynamics

Acquire in-depth knowledge of your organization, industry, and market sector to make informed strategic decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of internal and external factors.

(6) Prioritize Strategic Thinking with Dedicated Time

Schedule specific time slots for focused strategic thinking in your routine. Utilize this time to address fundamental questions about your organization’s direction, challenges, and opportunities.

(7) Effectively Communicate Strategic Insights to Influence

Cultivate strong communication skills to articulate strategic insights clearly. Effective communication is pivotal for gaining support and buy-in for proposed strategic initiatives.

By systematically incorporating these steps into your professional journey, you actively develop and refine your strategic thinking skills. This intentional approach empowers you to confidently navigate the complexities of strategic decision-making.

Strategic Thinking Examples

Strategic thinking manifests in various scenarios, demonstrating its impact on organizational success. Below are real-life examples showcasing how strategic thinking has influenced key decisions and outcomes:

• Distinguish between urgent and important tasks to allocate resources efficiently and achieve optimal outcomes.
• Strategically allocate resources based on the prioritization of tasks, ensuring maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
• Systematically analyze customer feedback to identify trends and insights, informing strategic decisions for product enhancements and customer satisfaction.
• Develop a strategic roadmap by setting both long-term and short-term business goals aligned with the organization’s overarching vision.
• Utilize past sales data to derive insights, identify patterns, and inform strategic decisions for future product development and market positioning.
• Conduct thorough market analysis to identify gaps and opportunities, allowing for strategic entry or expansion into specific market segments.
• Evaluate the alignment between products and market demands, ensuring a strategic fit that resonates with the target audience.
• Develop and implement a deliberate brand positioning strategy that aligns with market trends, consumer preferences, and organizational values.

These examples showcase how strategic thinking is applied across various facets of business operations. By integrating these practices, organizations can foster a strategic mindset, leading to informed decision-making and sustainable success.

In a real-world scenario, imagine a tech company facing fierce market competition and disruptive technological shifts. A strategic thinker in the managerial role would first pinpoint the challenges: intense competition and the impact of tech disruptions. By actively analyzing industry trends and asking crucial questions, such as how to stand out in a crowded market, strategic thinking takes shape.

Encouraging team discussions to gather diverse perspectives ensures a comprehensive understanding of potential strategies. Crafting innovative solutions collaboratively, like exploring unique product features or strategic partnerships, follows. Proactively anticipating future challenges and formulating contingency plans showcase the hands-on nature of strategic thinking.

Effective communication of the strategic vision is crucial. Aligning stakeholders, fostering commitment to the plan, and conveying a well-defined vision are integral. This example highlights that strategic thinking is not just theory; it’s a practical skill with tangible outcomes in navigating complex business landscapes.

What is Strategic Thinking in Leadership

Strategic thinking in leadership goes beyond day-to-day decision-making; it involves a comprehensive approach to envisioning and navigating an organization’s future. It’s the capability of leaders to analyze the current landscape, anticipate future challenges and opportunities, and formulate innovative strategies to drive the organization toward success. Here’s a deeper exploration of what strategic thinking entails in leadership:

• Visionary Leadership: Strategic thinking leaders possess a visionary outlook, setting a clear and inspiring direction for the organization’s future.
• Long-Term Planning: Instead of focusing solely on immediate concerns, strategic leaders plan for the long term, considering sustainable growth and evolution.
• Adaptability: Leaders who think strategically are adaptable, and ready to adjust strategies in response to changing circumstances and market dynamics.
• Risk Management: They evaluate risks meticulously, making calculated decisions that balance potential rewards with potential pitfalls.
• Innovation Advocacy: Encouraging innovation is a key aspect. Strategic leaders foster a culture where novel ideas are valued, leading to continuous improvement.
• Decision-Making: Strategic thinking leaders make decisions based on a holistic understanding of the organization’s goals, industry trends, and competitive landscape.
• Collaborative Approach: They understand the importance of collaboration, seeking input from diverse teams to enhance the quality of strategic decisions.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication is paramount. Leaders articulate the strategic vision in a way that inspires and aligns the entire organization.
• Alignment with Values: Strategic leaders ensure that strategic initiatives align with the organization’s core values and mission.
• Continuous Learning: Leaders committed to strategic thinking engage in continuous learning, staying informed about industry advancements and emerging trends.

In essence, strategic thinking in leadership is about proactively shaping the organization’s future, and making informed choices that lead to sustained success and relevance in a dynamic business environment.

Key Characteristics of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking is a multifaceted skill encompassing various key characteristics that contribute to its effectiveness. These attributes set strategic thinkers apart and form the foundation for navigating complex business landscapes. Here are the key characteristics of strategic thinking:

• Forward-Thinking: Strategic thinkers have a future-oriented mindset, anticipating trends, challenges, and opportunities to proactively shape the organization’s destiny.
• Analytical Acumen: The ability to analyze vast amounts of information, discern patterns, and derive meaningful insights is crucial for strategic thinking.
• Innovative Vision: Strategic thinkers embrace innovation, seeking novel solutions and envisioning possibilities that disrupt conventional norms.
• Adaptability: Recognizing the dynamic nature of the business environment, strategic thinkers are adaptable and agile in responding to changes and uncertainties.
• Holistic Perspective: They consider the bigger picture, understanding the interconnectedness of various elements within and outside the organization.
• Risk Assessment: Strategic thinkers evaluate risks objectively, weighing potential rewards against potential drawbacks and making informed decisions.
• Long-Term Orientation: Rather than focusing solely on short-term gains, strategic thinkers prioritize long-term objectives and sustainable growth.
• Open-Mindedness: Embracing diverse perspectives and being receptive to new ideas fosters a climate of creativity and robust strategic planning.
• Effective Communication: Strategic thinkers communicate their vision and plans clearly, ensuring alignment and understanding throughout the organization.
• Results-Driven: Ultimately, strategic thinkers are driven by results, aiming to create lasting value and impact for the organization’s stakeholders.

These key characteristics collectively empower individuals to think strategically, guiding organizations toward success in today’s dynamic and competitive business landscape.

Strategic Thinking in Business

Strategic thinking in the realm of business is a dynamic and critical process that involves the exploration and refinement of existing business models . This approach entails a comprehensive evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the current model. By strategically thinking, businesses can foster innovation, identify new revenue streams , optimise operational processes, and adjust to the evolving demands of the market. This strategic perspective is essential for staying competitive and ensuring long-term success in the business landscape.

Applying Strategic Thinking to Business Models

Strategic thinking serves as a catalyst for transforming and optimizing traditional business models. This process entails a meticulous examination of the current model, pinpointing both its strengths and weaknesses. Through strategic thinking, businesses can unleash innovation by exploring novel revenue streams, refining operational processes, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of market demands. This application of strategic thinking is instrumental in steering businesses towards resilience, growth, and sustained success.

The Business Model Canvas becomes a crucial tool in the strategic thinking process. It provides a visual framework for understanding, designing, and reinventing business models. By leveraging the canvas, organizations gain insights into key components such as value proposition , customer segments, channels , and cost structures. This clarity enhances strategic decision-making and fosters a more agile and adaptive business model.

The UNITE Business Model Canvas

The significance of strategic thinking in digital transformation.

In digital transformation, strategic thinking holds immense significance. It serves as the guiding force that shapes and directs the course of digital initiatives. It ensures a holistic approach, considering not only technological aspects but also the broader implications on business models, processes, and customer experiences. By strategically navigating the complexities of the digital transformation strategy , organizations can leverage emerging technologies effectively, enhance operational efficiency, and stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape. The application of strategic thinking becomes a linchpin for organizations aiming to achieve meaningful and sustainable digital transformation outcomes.

Real-Life Examples of Strategic Thinking in Business

To illustrate the tangible impact of strategic thinking, let’s delve into real-life examples where organizations successfully applied this approach to achieve remarkable outcomes.

• Apple Inc.: Apple’s strategic thinking is evident in its continuous innovation and product development. The introduction of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad showcased a forward-thinking approach that revolutionized the consumer electronics industry.
• Amazon: Amazon’s strategic thinking is exemplified in its customer-centric model and diversification. The company started as an online bookstore and strategically expanded into diverse product categories, cloud services (AWS), and even original content creation.
• Tesla: Tesla’s strategic thinking is embodied in its pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. The decision to focus on electric vehicles, solar energy, and energy storage reflects a long-term vision that goes beyond automotive manufacturing.
• Netflix: Netflix’s strategic thinking is evident in its shift from a DVD rental service to a global streaming platform. Embracing digital disruption, Netflix strategically invested in original content creation, transforming the entertainment industry.
• Google: Google’s strategic thinking is showcased in its commitment to innovation. From dominating the search engine market, Google expanded into diverse areas such as online advertising, mobile operating systems (Android), and artificial intelligence.

Differentiating Strategic Thinking from Other Types of Thinking

Thinking is a multifaceted cognitive process that varies across different contexts and objectives. Let’s delve into the distinctions between strategic thinking and other types of thinking:

• Strategic Thinking: Involves envisioning the future, identifying opportunities, and devising plans to achieve long-term goals.
• Critical Thinking: Focuses on analyzing, evaluating, and forming judgments about information or situations, emphasizing logical reasoning.
• Strategic Thinking: Emphasizes planning and decision-making for achieving organizational objectives, often involving a systematic approach.
• Creative Thinking: Involves generating novel ideas, solutions, or approaches, fostering innovation and unconventional thoughts.
• Strategic Thinking: Encompasses a holistic view, considering the overall direction and positioning of the organization.
• Analytical Thinking: Concentrates on breaking down complex problems into smaller components for in-depth examination and understanding.
• Strategic Thinking: Primarily concerned with defining goals, formulating plans, and aligning resources to achieve a predefined vision.
• Design Thinking: Centers around a human-centric approach, empathizing with end-users, and iteratively prototyping solutions for complex problems.
• Strategic Thinking: Focuses on organizational strategy, often involving hierarchical planning and coordination.
• Systems Thinking: Considers the interrelated components and relationships within a system, emphasizing holistic understanding and feedback loops.
• Strategic Thinking: Involves dynamic, adaptive, and non-linear planning, considering various scenarios and external influences.
• Linear Thinking: Follows a sequential and step-by-step approach to problem-solving without necessarily accounting for broader systemic factors.
• Strategic Thinking: Concentrates on forward-looking planning, often in a structured manner, to gain a competitive advantage.
• Lateral Thinking: Encourages unconventional and creative approaches to problem-solving, challenging traditional thought patterns.

Understanding these differences is crucial as it highlights the versatility of thinking processes and underscores the need for a well-rounded cognitive toolkit, incorporating strategic thinking when long-term planning and vision are paramount.

In conclusion, strategic thinking is the compass that guides businesses through the complexities of today’s ever-evolving landscape. By developing and nurturing strategic thinking skills , organizations can pave the way for sustained success and create value for everyone they serve. At Digital Leadership, we are passionate about empowering organizations to embrace strategic thinking. If you’re ready to elevate your strategic approach, contact us today for a transformative journey from strategy to execution.

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Strategic Thinking: Because Good Ideas Can Come From Anywhere

As part of our update to the Harvard ManageMentor Strategic Thinking topic, we asked Mason Weintraub, Director of Digital Engagement at Oxfam America, about the importance of strategic thinking. Here’s what Mason had to say:

I often think I’m expected to have all the answers about what to do with digital strategy. But the reality is that I lead a very talented team, and one of the ideas that we have tried to engender on the team is that good ideas can come from anywhere.

“Good ideas can come from anywhere.” Most of us recognize the wisdom embedded in that statement, yet we still see strategy as the realm of our organization’s senior leaders. That may be because of our tendency to equate strategic thinking with strategic planning. Although these practices are related and equally necessary for organizational success, they are actually quite distinct.

Strategic planning vs. strategic thinking

In strategic planning, leaders gather data and decide on the path the organization will take to achieve its goals. With strategic thinking, employees at all levels and in all functions continually scan for new ways to contribute to the organization’s success. They apply those insights as they carry out organizational priorities and provide input to the overall strategy. In this way, strategic thinking is part of everyone’s job – whatever their role or level of responsibility.

Why is this ability to think strategically especially important now? Today’s organizations are more dispersed and less hierarchical than ever before. With the pace of change continuing to rise, it’s no longer feasible for people to wait for “orders from above.” All employees must keep an eye on the future, not just react to what’s happening in the present. They need to look beyond their functional areas to become aware of the bigger context in which they operate. And they have to be agile learners who identify opportunities by challenging their own and their team’s assumptions about how things work in their organization and industry.

Becoming a strategic thinker

With strategic thinking taking on even greater importance in organizations, we’ve made key updates to the Harvard ManageMentor Strategic Thinking topic. The content we’ve added is geared to helping people boost their productivity and effectiveness by making strategic thinking a habit, and includes practical ways that enable them to do so.

One practice is simply making the time to think strategically – something that’s not always easy in today’s fast-paced business settings. Another involves inviting dissent on your team. To make strategic decisions, you need people on all sides of an issue to speak their minds. By letting team members know that speaking up is an important part of their jobs, you free them to provide important input.

Other strategic thinking practices are useful for training yourself to see opportunities and threats well before they happen. For example, most of us are comfortable using convergent thinking – analysis, logic, and reasoning – to come up with the “best” option from a set of choices. We tend to be less adept at divergent thinking, which involves generating lots of ideas with the goal of finding innovative solutions. This isn’t an either-or process: When you first diverge as a team to generate ideas and then converge on a path forward, you improve your ability to design and implement strategic actions.

Don’t let the future surprise you

The future will undoubtedly look a lot different from today. No one can predict tomorrow, but by identifying different scenarios, you and members of your team stretch your thinking about what opportunities and threats might emerge, how they might impact your organization, and what you can do about them. You learn to enact truly meaningful change rather than make incremental improvements. And it all begins with strategic thinking.

How do you foster strategic thinking throughout your organization?

Janice Molloy is a content researcher with Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. Email her at  [email protected] . 

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10 Ways to Prove You’re a Strategic Thinker

• Brenda Steinberg
• Michael D. Watkins

It’s not enough to have good ideas. You also have to communicate them effectively.

To get ahead in the business world, it’s not enough to think strategically. You also have to effectively communicate those ideas. There are several ways to do this, including elevating the conversation to focus on the big picture and broader context, being forward-looking in your comments, anticipating the effects of potential decisions, connecting disparate concepts, simplifying complex issues, using metaphors and analogies, stimulating dialogue with questions, showing you are informed, actively listening, and seeking feedback.

Are you a strategic thinker? Do key people in your organization — such as your boss and senior leadership — think so? To get ahead in your career, it’s critically important to ensure that the people around you perceive you as leadership material. One key to achieving that is communicating in ways that demonstrate your strategic mind. You can’t just think strategically. You need to speak strategically, too.  Here are some ways to do it:

• Brenda Steinberg  is an executive coach and leadership consultant with more than 20 years of experience in working with senior leaders. She regularly contributes to executive education programs at  IMD  Business School and works as a consultant with  Genesis Advisers .
• Michael D. Watkins is a professor of leadership and organizational change at IMD , a cofounder of Genesis Advisers , and the author of The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking .

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Strategic Thinking Examples: Practical Applications for Success

Strategic thinking is a crucial skill that allows individuals and organizations to plan for the future, connecting different pieces of information, weighing options, and formulating plans that align with overarching goals. It is a blend of analytical thinking , creativity, and foresight that enables individuals and organizations to navigate uncertainty and complexity effectively. Examples of strategic thinking abound across various industries and disciplines, showcasing the importance of this skill in driving innovation, tackling challenges, and seizing opportunities for growth.

When applied to an organizational context, strategic thinking has been found to play a vital role in enhancing overall performance and establishing a competitive edge. This skill set enables leaders to make informed decisions and allocate resources in a manner that positions their organization for long-term success. Moreover, fostering a culture of strategic thinking within an organization can empower employees at all levels, enabling them to contribute to the organization’s long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic thinking is a vital skill that combines analytical thinking, creativity, and foresight, essential for long-term planning and decision-making.
• In an organizational context, strategic thinking enhances performance, fosters innovation, and leads to a competitive advantage.
• Cultivating strategic thinking among employees can empower them to contribute to the organization’s long-term success and drive growth.

Foundational Concepts of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking involves the ability to analyze situations, identify patterns, and anticipate potential outcomes with a long-term perspective. It goes beyond problem-solving tasks and embraces a broader vision, considering the immediate and future implications of actions and decisions. When compared to critical thinking, strategic thinking has the added focus on a broader vision that incorporates the organization’s mission and vision.

One of the key aspects of strategic thinking is developing a strategic mindset. This mindset enables individuals and organizations to balance short-term priorities with long-term objectives. It involves an understanding of the organization’s goal, the external and internal factors that may affect its achievement, and the resources needed to attain it.

Having a clear vision and mission is essential for strategic thinking. A vision refers to the ideal future state an organization wants to achieve, while a mission defines the purpose and reason for its existence. Both these elements provide direction and focus in formulating long-term plans and decisions.

Strategic thinking includes some key skills and practices. For instance:

• SWOT analysis : This is an evaluation tool that helps organizations assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By understanding the internal and external factors, strategic thinkers can make informed decisions that align with their vision and mission.
• Scenario planning : It involves considering possible future events or situations and preparing for them. This proactive approach allows organizations to anticipate challenges and develop strategies to mitigate potential risks.
• Prioritization : Strategic thinkers must be skilled in prioritizing tasks according to their urgencies and importance. This enables them to focus on critical tasks while delegating or postponing less critical ones.
• Flexibility : In an ever-changing environment, strategic thinkers must be adaptable and open to revising their plans as needed. Being able to pivot and adjust strategies quickly ensures that their organization remains on track towards its goals even when circumstances change.

To sum up, strategic thinking is a crucial competency that helps organizations achieve their desired outcomes. It involves elements like having a strategic mindset, defining a clear vision and mission, and employing a set of skills and practices that facilitate long-term planning and decision-making. Developing strategic thinking skills is essential for individuals aiming to be successful leaders and contributors to their organization’s growth and success.

The Role of Strategic Thinking in Organizational Success

Strategic thinking plays a crucial role in the success of an organization. It involves envisioning future goals and objectives, as well as devising effective methods to achieve them. This process requires leaders to consider both internal and external factors, such as market trends, competition, and organizational strengths and weaknesses.

Leaders who excel in strategic thinking are able to identify opportunities and threats early on, which allows their organization to respond proactively and maintain a competitive edge. By adopting a long-term perspective, these leaders can make better-informed decisions that take advantage of emerging trends and technologies. They can also align the organization’s resources and actions toward achieving its objectives.

Additionally, strategic thinking fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Leaders who encourage their teams to think critically and creatively about organizational challenges are better equipped to identify and implement novel solutions. This type of leadership enables organizations to adapt, grow, and thrive in a dynamic business environment.

Senior executives have a particularly important role in promoting strategic thinking throughout the organization. By setting a vision and clearly communicating it to employees at all levels, they can foster a sense of purpose and direction. Furthermore, senior leaders who demonstrate strategic thinking skills can serve as role models, inspiring their teams to think and act more strategically.

In conclusion, strategic thinking is a vital skill for organizational success. By prioritizing long-term vision, leaders can create a roadmap for achieving objectives, seizing opportunities, and maintaining a competitive advantage. Cultivating a strategic mindset across all levels of an organization ultimately leads to better decision-making, innovation, and alignment of resources toward achieving shared goals.

Embedding Strategic Thinking in Planning Process

Incorporating strategic thinking in the planning process is essential for achieving desired outcomes and optimizing resources. This involves analyzing the current situation, setting goals, and devising action plans that align with the organization’s overall objectives.

The first step in the process is to gather information about the problem or situation to develop a deep understanding of the challenges at hand. A thorough analysis of the available data combined with market research will enable the organization to identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).

Once the SWOT analysis is complete, the organization can then set strategic goals and objectives, considering both short-term and long-term perspectives. This requires the ability to connect the dots between various pieces of information, weigh options, and anticipate future developments.

The next step is to create action plans that outline the specific steps, tasks, and responsibilities necessary to achieve each objective. This involves allocating appropriate resources, setting timeframes, and identifying performance measures to monitor and evaluate progress. Encouraging open communication and feedback among team members will enable the organization to continuously enhance its strategic planning process and ensure alignment with the broader goals.

Throughout this planning process, the organization must ensure a strong focus on its resources to maximize their potential and avoid waste. This can be achieved by focusing resources wisely on tasks and initiatives that directly contribute to the strategic objectives, regularly assessing resource allocation, and adjusting plans when necessary.

By embedding strategic thinking in the planning process, organizations can create comprehensive, adaptable plans that drive decision-making, provide a clear direction, and ultimately, enable the achievement of its desired outcomes.

Leveraging Strategic Thinking for Identifying Opportunities

In the world of business and entrepreneurship, strategic thinking is crucial for identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities. It allows individuals and organizations to navigate the ever-changing landscape and uncover innovative solutions to pressing challenges. By adopting a strategic mindset, entrepreneurs can overcome obstacles and make informed decisions, ensuring they stay ahead of the competition.

One key aspect of strategic thinking is the ability to gather information and analyze the market. This process equips entrepreneurs with a comprehensive understanding of industry trends, competitors, and potential customers. As a result, they can spot opportunities that others may overlook, giving them a competitive edge. For example, Apple’s focus on product design, innovation, and customer experience has enabled the company to dominate the technology market and be recognized as a leader in their field ( source ) .

Another important facet of strategic thinking is the ability to prioritize tasks and allocate resources efficiently. This may involve focusing on projects that yield the highest return on investment or those that align with the organization’s long-term goals. A successful entrepreneur must possess the ability to focus resources wisely and avoid spreading themselves too thin across multiple ventures. This will ensure that the organization operates effectively and adapts to the ever-changing demands of the market.

Additionally, strategic thinking helps entrepreneurs anticipate and navigate potential challenges they may encounter. By assessing risks and developing contingency plans, they can tackle obstacles head-on without allowing them to obstruct progress. For instance, considering an organization’s financial constraints and identifying potential partnerships or alternative funding options can help circumnavigate budgetary challenges.

In conclusion, leveraging strategic thinking is instrumental in identifying opportunities and mitigating challenges in the entrepreneurial landscape. By adopting a strategic mindset, entrepreneurs can innovate, allocate resources efficiently, and navigate potential obstacles, ultimately driving success in their endeavors. The future of any organization lies in the hands of its leaders and their ability to think strategically.

Strategic Thinking in Problem-Solving and Decision Making

Strategic thinking plays a vital role in both problem-solving and decision making. By applying strategic thinking, individuals and organizations are able to assess complex situations, identify possible solutions and make informed decisions that lead to desirable outcomes.

In problem-solving, strategic thinking helps to break down the issue at hand into smaller, manageable components. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the root cause, and with this knowledge, it becomes easier to develop effective solutions. One common method to exercise strategic thinking in problem-solving is task prioritization . By ranking tasks according to their urgency and importance, individuals can focus their efforts on addressing the most critical aspects of the problem first.

In decision making, strategic thinking enables individuals to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of various options, considering both short-term and long-term consequences. This process involves gathering information, analyzing data, and evaluating different courses of action before making a final decision. In organizations, strategic thinking is often used in areas such as resource allocation, product development, and customer experience. A notable example is Apple , a technology giant known for its innovative products and focus on customer experience, which has achieved success through strategic planning and decision making.

Developing problem-solving and decision-making skills through strategic thinking requires constant practice, reflection, and learning. By honing these skills in oneself or within a team, individuals and organizations can navigate complex situations with confidence and clarity, leading to more effective and efficient outcomes.

Implementing Strategic Thinking in Technology

Strategic thinking in technology involves identifying opportunities for growth and innovation while taking into account a company’s strengths, weaknesses, and competition. One of the key aspects of strategic thinking includes finding ways to integrate innovative solutions into the organization’s operations.

In the technology industry, there is a constant need for organizations to stay ahead of the curve and create new products and services. One example of strategic thinking applied successfully is Apple . The company has continuously focused on product design, innovation, and customer experience to stay ahead of its competitors. By frequently assessing the market trends and customer needs, Apple has been able to develop groundbreaking products such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.

Another example in the technology sector is the implementation of cloud computing. As organizations continue to generate massive amounts of data, there is an increasing need for secure and scalable platforms to store and manage this information. Companies like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are competing to provide the most efficient and innovative solutions for businesses to manage their data. Strategic thinking in this context entails understanding the evolving market demands and developing infrastructures that cater to a wide range of industries and applications.

In order to sustain success with strategic thinking in technology, leaders need to invest in upskilling their workforce and fostering a culture of learning and innovation. Emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement, staying updated with the latest trends, and adapting to new technologies will ensure long-term success for organizations.

Implementing strategic thinking in technology is crucial for businesses to stay ahead in a competitive market. By identifying opportunities, integrating innovative solutions, and constantly upskilling the workforce, companies can position themselves as leaders in the industry.

Resource Allocation and Efficiency through Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking plays a crucial role in optimizing resource allocation, productivity, and efficiency in various aspects of an organization. By incorporating a well-thought-out strategy, businesses can allocate resources such as time, effort, and tangible assets in a way that maximizes project efficiency and output ^(1) .

One primary application of strategic thinking in resource allocation is the concept of strategic alignment. This process ensures that all components of an organization, including departments, teams, and resources, are properly organized and working harmoniously to achieve the defined strategy or objectives ^(2) . This alignment can lead to improved productivity and efficiency by reducing conflicts and redundancies in managing resources.

In the context of multi-business firms, strategic management involves corporate capital allocation to divisions, which helps in the efficient distribution of resources ^(3) . Such an approach aids the company in leveraging its strengths and identifying growth opportunities within its various divisions.

When considering strategic thinking in terms of resource allocation, Andrew Marshall’s notion of strategy is worthy of consideration. He suggests viewing strategy as a “process of identifying, creating, and exploiting asymmetric advantages that can be used to achieve or improve sustainable competitive advantages” ^(4) . By applying this perspective, organizations can identify areas where they hold a competitive edge and allocate resources accordingly to optimize efficiency.

In conclusion, strategic thinking is an essential tool for enhancing resource allocation, productivity, and efficiency within organizations. By aligning resources with company objectives, identifying growth opportunities, and exploiting competitive advantages, businesses can achieve a higher level of performance and long-term success.

The Impact of Strategic Thinking on Employees and Leaders

Strategic thinking is a crucial skill that can significantly enhance the performance and career progression of both employees and leaders. It empowers individuals to take a holistic view of their organization, enabling them to identify new opportunities, solve complex problems, and drive innovation.

Employees who can think strategically are a valuable asset to an organization, as they contribute to its bottom line, advancing its competitive position in the market. These individuals display initiative, creativity, and problem-solving skills which ultimately helps in their career growth. Employers recognize the ability of these employees to think critically and proactively, making them prime candidates for promotions and greater responsibility.

Leaders who possess strong strategic thinking capabilities can inspire and guide their team towards the realization of the company’s vision. By cultivating a culture of strategic thinking within their team, leaders can harness the collective creativity and problem-solving abilities of their team members. This leads to a more innovative and adaptive organization that can respond quickly to changes in the market, customer demands, and competitive pressures.

Furthermore, strategic thinking helps employees and leaders adopt a growth mindset. They are more likely to embrace change, continuously learn, and collaborate effectively with their colleagues. This mindset contributes to a healthier work environment, fostering a positive atmosphere of openness, which leads to the exchange of innovative ideas and improved decision-making processes.

In summary, strategic thinking has a profound impact on both employees and leaders, as it enables them to identify opportunities for growth, tackle challenges effectively, and contribute significantly to the overall success of their organization. Moreover, it fosters a positive work environment that nurtures creative collaboration, resulting in continuous innovation and growth.

Strategic Thinking for Students

Strategic thinking plays an essential role in a student’s academic journey, as it allows them to effectively prioritize tasks, navigate challenges, and optimize their learning experience. By applying strategic thinking principles, students can enhance their problem-solving skills and better understand the long-term implications of their actions and decisions.

One example of strategic thinking for students involves task prioritization. By consciously ordering or ranking tasks according to their urgency and importance, students can manage their time more effectively and ensure they’re focusing on what truly matters. This Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important Principle is an excellent method students can employ to balance their academic and personal responsibilities.

Students can also benefit from strategic thinking when it comes to managing dissent. When encountering disagreements or conflicting opinions, applying strategic thinking allows them to objectively analyze the situation, identify patterns, and anticipate potential outcomes. By viewing dissent as an opportunity for growth, students can learn to engage in constructive debates, which ultimately strengthens their critical thinking and communication skills.

Moreover, strategic thinking contributes to effective learning. By gathering information from various sources, students develop a deeper understanding of the topics and subjects at hand. Information-gathering techniques can include attending lectures and seminars, taking notes efficiently, asking thought-provoking questions, and engaging in discussions with professors and classmates. Students can further enhance their learning strategies by applying critical analysis to the information obtained, seeking out patterns or trends, and synthesizing seemingly unrelated concepts into a coherent whole.

In conclusion, strategic thinking serves as a valuable skill for students, enhancing their decision-making, time management, and overall academic performance. By incorporating strategic thinking principles in their daily routines, students can expect to see a significant improvement in their learning outcomes and prepare themselves for long-term success in their chosen fields.

Strategic Thinking in Dealing with External Factors

When engaging in strategic thinking, it is important to consider the outside world, as it can affect the overall success of a business. By analyzing external factors, such as competitors, threats, and risks, businesses can better understand their environment and develop strategies to navigate through challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

A key aspect of strategic thinking involves connecting the dots between different pieces of information and using this insight to make informed decisions. By gathering data on competitors and staying updated on market trends, businesses can adapt their strategies to maintain a competitive edge.

Identifying Threats and Risks

Understanding potential threats and risks to a business is essential in creating a robust strategic plan. This includes recognizing how changes in regulations, technological advancements, or shifts in consumer behavior might impact the company. For example, an increase in tariffs or introduction of new environmental regulations might affect a strategic plan . By identifying these potential risks, businesses can proactively address them and develop contingency plans for future scenarios.

Embracing Opportunities

Strategic thinking also involves identifying opportunities in the external landscape that can add value to a business. By assessing market trends, emerging technologies, or untapped demographics, companies can seize new opportunities for growth and expansion. Actively monitoring the external environment and being open to innovation is crucial for staying ahead in a constantly evolving business landscape.

Collaborating and Learning from Others

Learning from competitors and other industry players can also provide valuable insights that can be applied to a company’s strategic thinking process. By studying their successes and failures, businesses can identify best practices, recognize emerging trends, and avoid pitfalls. In addition, collaboration and building relationships with stakeholders in the external environment can help businesses leverage existing resources and gain valuable support in achieving their strategic objectives.

In conclusion, strategic thinking must not be limited to internal factors; it is crucial for businesses to consider the outside world, embrace opportunities, and proactively manage threats to ensure success in a rapidly changing global environment. Companies that implement these practices are better equipped to navigate uncertainty and maintain competitive in the market.

The Role of Strategic Thinking in Adapting and Innovating

Strategic thinking plays a crucial role in enabling individuals and organizations to adapt and innovate in the face of dynamic environments. By employing foresight and anticipating potential outcomes, it equips decision-makers with the ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

One aspect of strategic thinking that contributes to adaptability is the use of scenarios . Scenario planning involves envisioning possible futures, taking into account various factors and trends that may impact an organization. This approach not only highlights potential risks and opportunities, but it also encourages proactive measures when faced with uncertainty.

Another significant element of strategic thinking is the development of foresight . Foresight, or the ability to think long-term, allows an organization to identify patterns and trends that could drive growth or create challenges. By considering the future implications of decisions made today, leaders can make more informed choices that align with their organization’s objectives and market conditions.

Ultimately, strategic thinking fosters an organizational culture that values adaptability as a core competency. This mindset allows teams and individuals to embrace change and continuously improve their operations, processes, and products, strengthening their competitive advantage in the market. A strong focus on adaptability also positions the organization to capitalize on emerging opportunities and navigate potential challenges effectively.

In conclusion, the role of strategic thinking in adapting and innovating is evident in its ability to foster foresight, encourage scenario planning, and promote adaptability. By cultivating these skills and practices, organizations can better navigate an ever-changing landscape and remain agile in the face of adversity.

Strategic Thinking Case Study: Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School (HBS) has long been recognized as a leader in cultivating strategic thinkers. Their faculty and curriculum focus on equipping students with the skills necessary to navigate complex business landscapes and make informed decisions that drive value within organizations. One effective method HBS employs to achieve this, is through the use of case studies .

Case studies at HBS provide students with real-world examples of business dilemmas and require them to evaluate various aspects, such as competition and market dynamics, financial information, and stakeholder interests. By engaging in such practical exercises, students are able to develop their strategic thinking capabilities. For example, the famous Lincoln Electric Company case study examinмes the unique compensation system and organizational culture that have contributed to the firm’s success.

Another notable case study is Pal’s Sudden Service , which highlights how an efficient organizational model can lead to rapid growth. Students at HBS are encouraged to dissect such examples in order to gain insights into the tenets of strategic thinking, such as acumen, foresight, and competitive advantage.

Furthermore, HBS also offers a course on Strategy and Strategic Thinking to help students further understand the concept and develop their skills. This course delves into various frameworks that can assist managers in evaluating a strategy’s effectiveness and making strategic decisions within their respective organizations. Through lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students are able to hone their strategic thinking abilities in a supportive and immersive learning environment.

In sum, by utilizing case studies and offering dedicated courses on strategic thinking, Harvard Business School equips its students with the essential skills and knowledge required to become confident, knowledgeable, and pertinent strategic thinkers in the business world.

Action Plans and Priorities through Strategic Thinking

In the realm of business and personal success, strategic thinking plays a crucial role in effectively tackling challenges and achieving goals. By creating action plans and setting priorities through strategic thinking, individuals and organizations can efficiently allocate resources, streamline operations, and optimize outcomes.

A critical aspect of strategic thinking is gathering information and knowledge about the problem or situation at hand. This helps to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced, enabling the formulation of suitable action plans. An effective action plan should consider potential risks, constraints, and the necessary steps to address them.

Once an action plan is in place, prioritizing tasks according to their urgency and importance becomes essential. This process aligns with the logic of Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important Principle , which helps individuals and organizations to differentiate time-sensitive tasks from those that could be delegated or delayed. By focusing on high-impact tasks first, individuals and teams can work towards their objectives more effectively.

Moreover, strategic thinking involves analyzing various inputs such as financial statements, market conditions, and internal resource allocation. This analysis allows leaders to make informed decisions that position the organization for success in the long term. Additionally, it enables them to identify opportunities for growth, collaboration, and innovation.

Ultimately, implementing action plans and setting priorities through strategic thinking contributes to improved decision-making and better results. By adopting a strategic mindset, individuals and organizations can optimize resource allocation, maintain focus on critical tasks, and actively progress towards achieving their goals.

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How to unleash your strategic thinking

Focuses on helping companies through growth-led transformations in the high tech, media and entertainment, telecommunications, and consumer sectors

May 2, 2017 A few days ago, Jeff Bezos published his letter to shareholders . He details what he sees Amazon and other companies as needing to do to remain in what he calls “day 1” mode. By examining the flaws he sees in “day 2” companies, it can be inferred that “day 1” companies remain relevant and are able to adapt to change.

He suggests four essentials: Customer obsession, a skeptical view of proxies, the eager adoption of external trends, and high-velocity decision-making.

It’s a compelling read, but I would like to push this further. The way I read it, Bezos encourages others (and certainly his team) to individually and institutionally apply strategic thinking that focuses on how to uniquely deliver more value to your customers and in doing so, embrace external trends with a strong bias toward action and a desire to avoid getting weighed down by processes.

In a nutshell, this inspires a provocative question: Can large companies be successful with less process and more delegated strategic thinking?

It wasn’t until the late 1970s, more than 50 years after McKinsey started to consult to companies to help them improve performance, that the firm established a functional practice focusing on strategy . In launching the new practice, its new leaders undertook ambitious research to study how leading companies develop their strategy. In a fascinating paper by a previous generation of McKinsey members published in 1978, long before Amazon existed, we suggested such an approach can be highly effective – i.e. driving creative strategic thinking without a comprehensive top-down planning regime (which has been adopted by most companies ever since).

[pull quote It’s rare and refreshing to see companies of significant size unleashing and harnessing the full scope of their talent to think strategically]

To underscore how companies, and not only Amazon, can be successful that way, I’d like to slightly simplify, adapt and focus on a few of these findings, which were republished in an article in the year 2000, “ Think Strategically .”

Interestingly, formal strategic planning wasn’t so common in the 1970s. The authors noted that many companies have enjoyed considerable success without advancing beyond the rudimentary levels of strategic development. Annual budgeting was the dominant and often the only formal planning process.

The point wasn’t that most companies didn’t have a strategy. Rather, the quality of the strategy of a company without a formal process depended largely on the vigour of its CEO and other top executives. Do they have a good feel for the competition? Do they know their own cost structures? If the answer to such questions was yes, then perhaps there was no advantage to formal strategic planning.

In reality, the authors noted, when companies start to manage a more complex portfolio of activities (e.g. multi-business), the informal approach is unlikely to work at a corporate level.

Digging deeper, they discovered that successful companies managed to carefully and thoroughly link strategic and operational decision making absent the process but with the prevalence of five management attributes:

• A well-understood conceptual framework that sorts out the interrelated types of strategic issues. The framework is defined by tomorrow’s strategic issues rather than by today’s organizational structure. Top management supervises the process and decides the issues it must address and which should be assigned to operating managers.
• Strategic-thinking capabilities that are widespread throughout the company, not limited to the top echelons.
• A process for negotiating trade-offs among competing objectives that involves a comparison of initiatives against each other to ensure scarce resources go where they can create the best returns.
• A performance-review system that focuses the attention of top managers on key problem and opportunity areas without forcing those managers to struggle through an in-depth review of each business unit’s strategy every year.
• A motivational system and management values that reward and promote the exercise of strategic thinking.

The authors said that fostering and rewarding widespread strategic thinking does not mean that every manager is expected to become a brilliant strategic thinker.

They proposed four rules to what strategic thinking should be (the bold part is unedited as written nearly 40 years ago):

Strategic thinking seeks hard, fact-based, logical information. Strategists should be uncomfortable with vague concepts like “soft synergy.” They should not accept generalized theories of economic behaviour, and they should try to understand the underlying specific dynamics relevant for their business in an unbiased way.

Strategic thinking questions everyone’s unquestioned assumptions. Where competitors may see constraints, creative strategic thinkers will seek opportunities. Consider how Wal-Mart or Southwest first found business opportunities where their competitors thought the opportunities weren’t viable.

Strategic thinking is characterized by an all-pervasive unwillingness to expend resources. A strategist is always looking for opportunities to win at low or no cost.

Strategic thinking is usually indirect and unexpected rather than head-on and predictable. The authors cite what is often seen as the origins of strategy to illustrate this point with a quote from Basil Henry Liddell Hart about military strategy: “In strategy, the longest way around is often the shortest way home.”

No large company can completely avoid bureaucracy or fully trust its middle management to think strategically all or even most of the time. Yet it’s rare and refreshing to see companies of significant size boldly pursue a recipe that was once more common – unleashing and harnessing the full scope of their talent to think strategically, on “day 1” and ideally every day of the week.

Yuval Atsmon is a senior partner in McKinsey’s London  office.

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Learn How These Examples of Strategic Thinking Can Help You Transform Your Leadership

A few years ago, I was hired to advise a supply chain company on the heels of a major transition. One of the people I worked closely with was the newly appointed chief operating officer. The company had recently acquired a competitor, and she had been promoted to oversee its successful integration—and this sets the stage for our examples of strategic thinking.

Having risen through the supply chain ranks, she had spent most of her time reacting to operational missteps and customer complaints, and her razor-sharp problem-solving skills had trained the organization to look to her for quick decisions to resolve issues.

My goal was to help her clarify her high-level responsibilities at the newly enlarged company and how they aligned with its mission. So I asked her, “What’s the most important thing your CEO and board want you to accomplish in your new role?” 

She answered readily: “To cut duplicate costs from redundant work and get the organization on one technology platform to manage our supply chain.” Her clarity surprised me—and her. That was the good news. The not-so-good news was that she realized how little her daily tasks were actually serving said mission.

That’s where I came in. After several rounds of investigation and candid discussion, we agreed on a productive path forward. This included breaking her mandate into four focus areas, reconstituting her team to include leaders from both organizations, and ensuring all meetings and decisions she was involved in connected directly to her mandate.

This story had a happy ending. But it was also the exception. The sad reality is that far too many senior executives are simply unable to connect their role to the strategic contributions they should be making to fulfill the role. Put differently, they don’t know how to think or act strategically . 

If this sounds like you, you’re certainly not alone. But following these four tips for developing your strategic thinking skills can help bring you ever closer to clarity.

Strategic Thinking Example #1:   Scrutinize the strategic requirements of your job

“It’s a dirty little secret: Most executives cannot articulate the objective, scope, and advantage of their business in a simple statement,” wrote Harvard Business School professors David Collis and Michael Rukstad in an influential article for the Harvard Business Review . “If they can’t, neither can anyone else.”

Research consistently confirms this painful truth. Most managers don’t know what parts of their jobs serve their mission and actually add value, and what parts are simply getting things done. It’s no wonder, then, that many of them spend far too much time dealing with issues as they come up or firefighting. With no sense of what their actual priorities should be, they take up whatever issue walks into their inbox.

To help get a better handle on what you should be doing, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few simple but pointed exploratory questions:

• In one sentence, describe what your company does. In another sentence, describe what you do. What’s the relationship between these two answers—and are you satisfied with it?
• Are there any activities that if you weren’t already doing them, you wouldn’t start doing them? How can you phase out those unnecessary activities to free up capacity for more important work?
• What does this “more important work” look like? Why is it more important? To what extent does it align with your organizational mission?
• What would you need from your boss in order to begin shifting your focus in a way that allowed you to spend more time on higher-value activities?

Let the answers to these questions guide you as you work on your strategic thinking long-term.

Strategic Thinking Example #2: Focus resources wisely

Once you can draw a clear(er) line of sight to your strategic contributions, the next step is to ensure company resources are available to help accomplish them. 

For many new executives, the large pile of money they now get to direct is exciting—but potentially dangerous. Aligning budgets and bodies around a unified direction is much harder when there are many more options and reactive decision making has become the norm.

Too often, immediate crises cause executives to whiplash people and money. Without a sound fact and insight base on which to prioritize resources, squeaky wheels get all the grease. Which brings us to the next point.

Quote Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it.

– Henry Ford

Strategic Thinking Example #3: Search for insights in all the right places

The term “insight” typically conjures up notions of breakthrough ideas or “aha moments,” but that’s not what’s useful to you. When it comes to thinking strategically, it’s far more insightful studying basic patterns from available data that can help you pinpoint what truly sets your company apart. 

Strategic thinkers know how to use data to generate new insights about how they and their organizations make money. Examining patterns of performance over time (financial, operational, customer, and competitive data) will reveal critical information about future opportunities and risks.

In the case of the supply chain executive mentioned earlier, rather than institute a blanket cost reduction, she decided to spend some time poking around the data she had on hand. 

After doing this she uncovered patterns that identified—and crucially, protected—the most competitive work in her organization: getting products to customers on time and accurately. She isolated those activities from work that added little value or was redundant, and then focused her cost-cutting efforts on those. 

In the end she was able to dramatically reduce costs while improving customer experience. This all happened because of critical insight.

Strategic Thinking Example #4: Welcome dissent

Strategic thinking is as much a social capability as it is an intellectual one. As impressive as an executive may appear, their strategic brilliance will never be acted upon alone. Leaders need the people they lead to translate strategic insights into choices that drive results. For people to truly commit to carrying out an executive’s strategy, though, they have to understand and believe in it.

That’s a tall order. As the Collis and Rukstad quote from earlier makes clear, many executives themselves don’t fully understand what they’re doing or what their strategy is. And even if they do, too often their approach to communicating their strategic vision leaves much to be desired. 

Extra-intense PowerPoint presentation sessions are not what increases understanding and ownership of strategy.    

To the contrary, people’s depth of commitment increases when they, not their leader, are talking. One executive I work with habitually takes his strategic insights to his team and intentionally asks for dueling fact bases to both support and refute his thinking. 

As the debate unfolds, flawed assumptions surface and are replaced with shared understanding, ideas are refined, and ownership for success spreads. A strategic mindset not only embraces but encourages different points of view.

That’s his strategy, and he’s sticking to it. As he should.

Call-out/Tip It’s helpful to think of strategic thinking as a kind of process, not a defined set of activities. It’s a means for getting to desired outcome, and, as a result, may lead you to take different actions depending on your unique circumstances. Anyone who tells you that all you have to do is X, Y, and Z is not offering a good example of strategic thinking.

Is Your Strategy Uplifting Your Team and Your Business?

Strategic thinking is far more than PowerPoint slides and making decisions as you go—and your team deserves better. As the top choice in leadership consulting, Navalent helps you learn how to plan ahead and think strategically . 

Be the leader your team deserves. Contact us today.

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8 Strategic Thinking Examples to Help You Succeed

What is strategic thinking , why is strategic thinking important in the workplace, real-life examples of successful strategic thinking, understanding successful strategic thinking mindset with scenarios, real-life examples of failed strategic thinking, understanding what leads to failed strategic thinking with scenarios.

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• Setting direction: Strategic thinking helps teams to set a clear direction for the future. By understanding the external environment and the team’s internal strengths and weaknesses, strategic thinkers can develop a roadmap for achieving long-term goals.
• Identifying opportunities: Strategic thinking enables teams to identify new opportunities and potential threats. Strategic thinkers can anticipate changes and develop strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities by analyzing market trends and competitive landscapes.
• Resource allocation: Strategic thinking helps teams to allocate their resources effectively. By prioritizing initiatives and investments based on their strategic importance, teams can ensure that resources are allocated to the most critical areas.
• Collaboration: Strategic thinking promotes collaboration and teamwork. By involving employees in strategic planning, teams can foster a shared sense of purpose and engage employees in the team’s mission.

Strategic Thinking Example # 1:

Strategic thinking example # 2:.

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Strategic Thinking Example #1

• Employee engagement is critical to team performance: Employee engagement is a key driver of team performance and productivity, and managers should prioritize creating a positive and supportive work environment.
• Employee satisfaction leads to better results: Employees who feel valued and engaged are more likely to be satisfied with their work and deliver better results.
• Purpose and meaning are important motivators: Employees are motivated by having a sense of purpose and meaning in their work, and managers should strive to connect team members with the broader goals and mission of the organization.
• A supportive leader is key: A supportive leader who is empathetic, approachable, and empowering can create a positive and productive work environment that inspires team members to perform at their best.

Strategic Thinking Example # 2

• Emphasize customer experience: Providing excellent customer service, and a positive experience can lead to repeat business and referrals.
• Personalize the approach: Understanding each customer’s unique needs and preferences, and tailoring the approach accordingly, can help build stronger relationships and drive sales.
• Leverage word-of-mouth marketing: Satisfied customers can be powerful advocates for a business, and word-of-mouth marketing can help drive sales and generate new leads.
• Prioritize customer retention: It can be more cost-effective to retain existing customers than acquire new ones, so managers should prioritize building long-term customer relationships.

Strategic Thinking Example # 1

Strategic thinking example #2, strategic thinkin g example # 1.

• Keep up with changing consumer preferences: Managers must stay current with changing consumer preferences and trends to remain competitive.
• Adapt to new technologies: Managers must be willing to adapt to new technologies and embrace innovation to stay ahead of the competition.
• Be proactive, not reactive: Managers should be proactive in anticipating changes in the market and taking steps to adapt rather than waiting until it is too late.
• Listen to customer feedback: Managers should listen to customer feedback and use it to inform their decision-making and strategy.
• Continuously improve: Managers should constantly seek ways to improve their business and stay relevant to customers.
• Establish clear communication channels: Managers should establish clear communication channels and protocols for informing stakeholders of project progress.
• Listen actively: Managers should listen to stakeholder feedback and concerns and use this feedback to inform decision-making and project planning.
• Develop a stakeholder engagement plan: Managers should develop a stakeholder engagement plan that outlines the key stakeholders, their interests, and their communication preferences.
• Be responsive: Managers should respond to stakeholder inquiries and concerns and promptly and proactively address any issues.

Suprabha Sharma

Suprabha, a versatile professional who blends expertise in human resources and psychology, bridges the divide between people management and personal growth with her novel perspectives at Risely. Her experience as a human resource professional has empowered her to visualize practical solutions for frequent managerial challenges that form the pivot of her writings.

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41+ Critical Thinking Examples (Definition + Practices)

Critical thinking is an essential skill in our information-overloaded world, where figuring out what is fact and fiction has become increasingly challenging.

But why is critical thinking essential? Put, critical thinking empowers us to make better decisions, challenge and validate our beliefs and assumptions, and understand and interact with the world more effectively and meaningfully.

Critical thinking is like using your brain's "superpowers" to make smart choices. Whether it's picking the right insurance, deciding what to do in a job, or discussing topics in school, thinking deeply helps a lot. In the next parts, we'll share real-life examples of when this superpower comes in handy and give you some fun exercises to practice it.

Critical Thinking Process Outline

Critical thinking means thinking clearly and fairly without letting personal feelings get in the way. It's like being a detective, trying to solve a mystery by using clues and thinking hard about them.

It isn't always easy to think critically, as it can take a pretty smart person to see some of the questions that aren't being answered in a certain situation. But, we can train our brains to think more like puzzle solvers, which can help develop our critical thinking skills.

Here's what it looks like step by step:

Spotting the Problem: It's like discovering a puzzle to solve. You see that there's something you need to figure out or decide.

Collecting Clues: Now, you need to gather information. Maybe you read about it, watch a video, talk to people, or do some research. It's like getting all the pieces to solve your puzzle.

Breaking It Down: This is where you look at all your clues and try to see how they fit together. You're asking questions like: Why did this happen? What could happen next?

Checking Your Clues: You want to make sure your information is good. This means seeing if what you found out is true and if you can trust where it came from.

Making a Guess: After looking at all your clues, you think about what they mean and come up with an answer. This answer is like your best guess based on what you know.

Explaining Your Thoughts: Now, you tell others how you solved the puzzle. You explain how you thought about it and how you answered. 

Checking Your Work: This is like looking back and seeing if you missed anything. Did you make any mistakes? Did you let any personal feelings get in the way? This step helps make sure your thinking is clear and fair.

And remember, you might sometimes need to go back and redo some steps if you discover something new. If you realize you missed an important clue, you might have to go back and collect more information.

Critical Thinking Methods

Just like doing push-ups or running helps our bodies get stronger, there are special exercises that help our brains think better. These brain workouts push us to think harder, look at things closely, and ask many questions.

It's not always about finding the "right" answer. Instead, it's about the journey of thinking and asking "why" or "how." Doing these exercises often helps us become better thinkers and makes us curious to know more about the world.

Now, let's look at some brain workouts to help us think better:

1. "What If" Scenarios

Imagine crazy things happening, like, "What if there was no internet for a month? What would we do?" These games help us think of new and different ideas.

Pick a hot topic. Argue one side of it and then try arguing the opposite. This makes us see different viewpoints and think deeply about a topic.

3. Analyze Visual Data

Check out charts or pictures with lots of numbers and info but no explanations. What story are they telling? This helps us get better at understanding information just by looking at it.

4. Mind Mapping

Write an idea in the center and then draw lines to related ideas. It's like making a map of your thoughts. This helps us see how everything is connected.

There's lots of mind-mapping software , but it's also nice to do this by hand.

5. Weekly Diary

Every week, write about what happened, the choices you made, and what you learned. Writing helps us think about our actions and how we can do better.

6. Evaluating Information Sources

Collect stories or articles about one topic from newspapers or blogs. Which ones are trustworthy? Which ones might be a little biased? This teaches us to be smart about where we get our info.

There are many resources to help you determine if information sources are factual or not.

7. Socratic Questioning

This way of thinking is called the Socrates Method, named after an old-time thinker from Greece. It's about asking lots of questions to understand a topic. You can do this by yourself or chat with a friend.

Start with a Big Question:

"What does 'success' mean?"

Dive Deeper with More Questions:

"Why do you think of success that way?" "Do TV shows, friends, or family make you think that?" "Does everyone think about success the same way?"

"Can someone be a winner even if they aren't rich or famous?" "Can someone feel like they didn't succeed, even if everyone else thinks they did?"

Look for Real-life Examples:

"Who is someone you think is successful? Why?" "Was there a time you felt like a winner? What happened?"

Think About Other People's Views:

"How might a person from another country think about success?" "Does the idea of success change as we grow up or as our life changes?"

Think About What It Means:

"How does your idea of success shape what you want in life?" "Are there problems with only wanting to be rich or famous?"

Look Back and Think:

"After talking about this, did your idea of success change? How?" "Did you learn something new about what success means?"

8. Six Thinking Hats 

Edward de Bono came up with a cool way to solve problems by thinking in six different ways, like wearing different colored hats. You can do this independently, but it might be more effective in a group so everyone can have a different hat color. Each color has its way of thinking:

White Hat (Facts): Just the facts! Ask, "What do we know? What do we need to find out?"

Red Hat (Feelings): Talk about feelings. Ask, "How do I feel about this?"

Black Hat (Careful Thinking): Be cautious. Ask, "What could go wrong?"

Yellow Hat (Positive Thinking): Look on the bright side. Ask, "What's good about this?"

Green Hat (Creative Thinking): Think of new ideas. Ask, "What's another way to look at this?"

Blue Hat (Planning): Organize the talk. Ask, "What should we do next?"

When using this method with a group:

• Explain all the hats.
• Decide which hat to wear first.
• Make sure everyone switches hats at the same time.
• Finish with the Blue Hat to plan the next steps.

9. SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis is like a game plan for businesses to know where they stand and where they should go. "SWOT" stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

There are a lot of SWOT templates out there for how to do this visually, but you can also think it through. It doesn't just apply to businesses but can be a good way to decide if a project you're working on is working.

Strengths: What's working well? Ask, "What are we good at?"

Weaknesses: Where can we do better? Ask, "Where can we improve?"

Opportunities: What good things might come our way? Ask, "What chances can we grab?"

Threats: What challenges might we face? Ask, "What might make things tough for us?"

Steps to do a SWOT Analysis:

• Goal: Decide what you want to find out.
• Research: Learn about your business and the world around it.
• Brainstorm: Get a group and think together. Talk about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Pick the Most Important Points: Some things might be more urgent or important than others.
• Make a Plan: Decide what to do based on your SWOT list.
• Check Again Later: Things change, so look at your SWOT again after a while to update it.

Now that you have a few tools for thinking critically, let’s get into some specific examples.

Everyday Examples

Life is a series of decisions. From the moment we wake up, we're faced with choices – some trivial, like choosing a breakfast cereal, and some more significant, like buying a home or confronting an ethical dilemma at work. While it might seem that these decisions are disparate, they all benefit from the application of critical thinking.

10. Deciding to buy something

Imagine you want a new phone. Don't just buy it because the ad looks cool. Think about what you need in a phone. Look up different phones and see what people say about them. Choose the one that's the best deal for what you want.

11. Deciding what is true

There's a lot of news everywhere. Don't believe everything right away. Think about why someone might be telling you this. Check if what you're reading or watching is true. Make up your mind after you've looked into it.

12. Deciding when you’re wrong

Sometimes, friends can have disagreements. Don't just get mad right away. Try to see where they're coming from. Talk about what's going on. Find a way to fix the problem that's fair for everyone.

13. Deciding what to eat

There's always a new diet or exercise that's popular. Don't just follow it because it's trendy. Find out if it's good for you. Ask someone who knows, like a doctor. Make choices that make you feel good and stay healthy.

14. Deciding what to do today

Everyone is busy with school, chores, and hobbies. Make a list of things you need to do. Decide which ones are most important. Plan your day so you can get things done and still have fun.

15. Making Tough Choices

Sometimes, it's hard to know what's right. Think about how each choice will affect you and others. Talk to people you trust about it. Choose what feels right in your heart and is fair to others.

16. Planning for the Future

Big decisions, like where to go to school, can be tricky. Think about what you want in the future. Look at the good and bad of each choice. Talk to people who know about it. Pick what feels best for your dreams and goals.

Job Examples

17. solving problems.

Workers brainstorm ways to fix a machine quickly without making things worse when a machine breaks at a factory.

18. Decision Making

A store manager decides which products to order more of based on what's selling best.

19. Setting Goals

A team leader helps their team decide what tasks are most important to finish this month and which can wait.

20. Evaluating Ideas

At a team meeting, everyone shares ideas for a new project. The group discusses each idea's pros and cons before picking one.

21. Handling Conflict

Two workers disagree on how to do a job. Instead of arguing, they talk calmly, listen to each other, and find a solution they both like.

22. Improving Processes

A cashier thinks of a faster way to ring up items so customers don't have to wait as long.

23. Asking Questions

Before starting a big task, an employee asks for clear instructions and checks if they have the necessary tools.

24. Checking Facts

Before presenting a report, someone double-checks all their information to make sure there are no mistakes.

25. Planning for the Future

A business owner thinks about what might happen in the next few years, like new competitors or changes in what customers want, and makes plans based on those thoughts.

26. Understanding Perspectives

A team is designing a new toy. They think about what kids and parents would both like instead of just what they think is fun.

School Examples

27. researching a topic.

For a history project, a student looks up different sources to understand an event from multiple viewpoints.

28. Debating an Issue

In a class discussion, students pick sides on a topic, like school uniforms, and share reasons to support their views.

29. Evaluating Sources

While writing an essay, a student checks if the information from a website is trustworthy or might be biased.

30. Problem Solving in Math

When stuck on a tricky math problem, a student tries different methods to find the answer instead of giving up.

31. Analyzing Literature

In English class, students discuss why a character in a book made certain choices and what those decisions reveal about them.

32. Testing a Hypothesis

For a science experiment, students guess what will happen and then conduct tests to see if they're right or wrong.

33. Giving Peer Feedback

After reading a classmate's essay, a student offers suggestions for improving it.

34. Questioning Assumptions

In a geography lesson, students consider why certain countries are called "developed" and what that label means.

35. Designing a Study

For a psychology project, students plan an experiment to understand how people's memories work and think of ways to ensure accurate results.

36. Interpreting Data

In a science class, students look at charts and graphs from a study, then discuss what the information tells them and if there are any patterns.

Critical Thinking Puzzles

Not all scenarios will have a single correct answer that can be figured out by thinking critically. Sometimes we have to think critically about ethical choices or moral behaviors. 

Here are some mind games and scenarios you can solve using critical thinking. You can see the solution(s) at the end of the post.

37. The Farmer, Fox, Chicken, and Grain Problem

A farmer is at a riverbank with a fox, a chicken, and a grain bag. He needs to get all three items across the river. However, his boat can only carry himself and one of the three items at a time. 

Here's the challenge:

• If the fox is left alone with the chicken, the fox will eat the chicken.
• If the chicken is left alone with the grain, the chicken will eat the grain.

How can the farmer get all three items across the river without any item being eaten? 

38. The Rope, Jar, and Pebbles Problem

You are in a room with two long ropes hanging from the ceiling. Each rope is just out of arm's reach from the other, so you can't hold onto one rope and reach the other simultaneously. 

Your task is to tie the two rope ends together, but you can't move the position where they hang from the ceiling.

You are given a jar full of pebbles. How do you complete the task?

39. The Two Guards Problem

Imagine there are two doors. One door leads to certain doom, and the other leads to freedom. You don't know which is which.

In front of each door stands a guard. One guard always tells the truth. The other guard always lies. You don't know which guard is which.

You can ask only one question to one of the guards. What question should you ask to find the door that leads to freedom?

40. The Hourglass Problem

You have two hourglasses. One measures 7 minutes when turned over, and the other measures 4 minutes. Using just these hourglasses, how can you time exactly 9 minutes?

41. The Lifeboat Dilemma

Imagine you're on a ship that's sinking. You get on a lifeboat, but it's already too full and might flip over. 

Nearby in the water, five people are struggling: a scientist close to finding a cure for a sickness, an old couple who've been together for a long time, a mom with three kids waiting at home, and a tired teenager who helped save others but is now in danger. 

You can only save one person without making the boat flip. Who would you choose?

42. The Tech Dilemma

You work at a tech company and help make a computer program to help small businesses. You're almost ready to share it with everyone, but you find out there might be a small chance it has a problem that could show users' private info. 

If you decide to fix it, you must wait two more months before sharing it. But your bosses want you to share it now. What would you do?

43. The History Mystery

Dr. Amelia is a history expert. She's studying where a group of people traveled long ago. She reads old letters and documents to learn about it. But she finds some letters that tell a different story than what most people believe. 

If she says this new story is true, it could change what people learn in school and what they think about history. What should she do?

The Role of Bias in Critical Thinking

Have you ever decided you don’t like someone before you even know them? Or maybe someone shared an idea with you that you immediately loved without even knowing all the details. 

This experience is called bias, which occurs when you like or dislike something or someone without a good reason or knowing why. It can also take shape in certain reactions to situations, like a habit or instinct. 

Bias comes from our own experiences, what friends or family tell us, or even things we are born believing. Sometimes, bias can help us stay safe, but other times it stops us from seeing the truth.

Not all bias is bad. Bias can be a mechanism for assessing our potential safety in a new situation. If we are biased to think that anything long, thin, and curled up is a snake, we might assume the rope is something to be afraid of before we know it is just a rope.

While bias might serve us in some situations (like jumping out of the way of an actual snake before we have time to process that we need to be jumping out of the way), it often harms our ability to think critically.

How Bias Gets in the Way of Good Thinking

Selective Perception: We only notice things that match our ideas and ignore the rest. 

It's like only picking red candies from a mixed bowl because you think they taste the best, but they taste the same as every other candy in the bowl. It could also be when we see all the signs that our partner is cheating on us but choose to ignore them because we are happy the way we are (or at least, we think we are).

Agreeing with Yourself: This is called “ confirmation bias ” when we only listen to ideas that match our own and seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms what we already think we know or believe. 

An example is when someone wants to know if it is safe to vaccinate their children but already believes that vaccines are not safe, so they only look for information supporting the idea that vaccines are bad.

Thinking We Know It All: Similar to confirmation bias, this is called “overconfidence bias.” Sometimes we think our ideas are the best and don't listen to others. This can stop us from learning.

Have you ever met someone who you consider a “know it”? Probably, they have a lot of overconfidence bias because while they may know many things accurately, they can’t know everything. Still, if they act like they do, they show overconfidence bias.

There's a weird kind of bias similar to this called the Dunning Kruger Effect, and that is when someone is bad at what they do, but they believe and act like they are the best .

Following the Crowd: This is formally called “groupthink”. It's hard to speak up with a different idea if everyone agrees. But this can lead to mistakes.

An example of this we’ve all likely seen is the cool clique in primary school. There is usually one person that is the head of the group, the “coolest kid in school”, and everyone listens to them and does what they want, even if they don’t think it’s a good idea.

How to Overcome Biases

Here are a few ways to learn to think better, free from our biases (or at least aware of them!).

Know Your Biases: Realize that everyone has biases. If we know about them, we can think better.

Listen to Different People: Talking to different kinds of people can give us new ideas.

Ask Why: Always ask yourself why you believe something. Is it true, or is it just a bias?

Understand Others: Try to think about how others feel. It helps you see things in new ways.

Keep Learning: Always be curious and open to new information.

In today's world, everything changes fast, and there's so much information everywhere. This makes critical thinking super important. It helps us distinguish between what's real and what's made up. It also helps us make good choices. But thinking this way can be tough sometimes because of biases. These are like sneaky thoughts that can trick us. The good news is we can learn to see them and think better.

There are cool tools and ways we've talked about, like the "Socratic Questioning" method and the "Six Thinking Hats." These tools help us get better at thinking. These thinking skills can also help us in school, work, and everyday life.

We’ve also looked at specific scenarios where critical thinking would be helpful, such as deciding what diet to follow and checking facts.

Thinking isn't just a skill—it's a special talent we improve over time. Working on it lets us see things more clearly and understand the world better. So, keep practicing and asking questions! It'll make you a smarter thinker and help you see the world differently.

Critical Thinking Puzzles (Solutions)

The farmer, fox, chicken, and grain problem.

• The farmer first takes the chicken across the river and leaves it on the other side.
• He returns to the original side and takes the fox across the river.
• After leaving the fox on the other side, he returns the chicken to the starting side.
• He leaves the chicken on the starting side and takes the grain bag across the river.
• He leaves the grain with the fox on the other side and returns to get the chicken.
• The farmer takes the chicken across, and now all three items -- the fox, the chicken, and the grain -- are safely on the other side of the river.

The Rope, Jar, and Pebbles Problem

• Take one rope and tie the jar of pebbles to its end.
• Swing the rope with the jar in a pendulum motion.
• While the rope is swinging, grab the other rope and wait.
• As the swinging rope comes back within reach due to its pendulum motion, grab it.
• With both ropes within reach, untie the jar and tie the rope ends together.

The Two Guards Problem

The question is, "What would the other guard say is the door to doom?" Then choose the opposite door.

The Hourglass Problem

• Start both hourglasses. 
• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out, turn it over.
• When the 7-minute hourglass runs out, the 4-minute hourglass will have been running for 3 minutes. Turn the 7-minute hourglass over. 
• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out for the second time (a total of 8 minutes have passed), the 7-minute hourglass will run for 1 minute. Turn the 7-minute hourglass again for 1 minute to empty the hourglass (a total of 9 minutes passed).

The Boat and Weights Problem

Take the cat over first and leave it on the other side. Then, return and take the fish across next. When you get there, take the cat back with you. Leave the cat on the starting side and take the cat food across. Lastly, return to get the cat and bring it to the other side.

The Lifeboat Dilemma

There isn’t one correct answer to this problem. Here are some elements to consider:

• Moral Principles: What values guide your decision? Is it the potential greater good for humanity (the scientist)? What is the value of long-standing love and commitment (the elderly couple)? What is the future of young children who depend on their mothers? Or the selfless bravery of the teenager?
• Future Implications: Consider the future consequences of each choice. Saving the scientist might benefit millions in the future, but what moral message does it send about the value of individual lives?
• Emotional vs. Logical Thinking: While it's essential to engage empathy, it's also crucial not to let emotions cloud judgment entirely. For instance, while the teenager's bravery is commendable, does it make him more deserving of a spot on the boat than the others?
• Acknowledging Uncertainty: The scientist claims to be close to a significant breakthrough, but there's no certainty. How does this uncertainty factor into your decision?
• Personal Bias: Recognize and challenge any personal biases, such as biases towards age, profession, or familial status.

The Tech Dilemma

Again, there isn’t one correct answer to this problem. Here are some elements to consider:

• Evaluate the Risk: How severe is the potential vulnerability? Can it be easily exploited, or would it require significant expertise? Even if the circumstances are rare, what would be the consequences if the vulnerability were exploited?
• Stakeholder Considerations: Different stakeholders will have different priorities. Upper management might prioritize financial projections, the marketing team might be concerned about the product's reputation, and customers might prioritize the security of their data. How do you balance these competing interests?
• Short-Term vs. Long-Term Implications: While launching on time could meet immediate financial goals, consider the potential long-term damage to the company's reputation if the vulnerability is exploited. Would the short-term gains be worth the potential long-term costs?
• Ethical Implications : Beyond the financial and reputational aspects, there's an ethical dimension to consider. Is it right to release a product with a known vulnerability, even if the chances of it being exploited are low?
• Seek External Input: Consulting with cybersecurity experts outside your company might be beneficial. They could provide a more objective risk assessment and potential mitigation strategies.
• Communication: How will you communicate the decision, whatever it may be, both internally to your team and upper management and externally to your customers and potential users?

The History Mystery

Dr. Amelia should take the following steps:

• Verify the Letters: Before making any claims, she should check if the letters are actual and not fake. She can do this by seeing when and where they were written and if they match with other things from that time.
• Get a Second Opinion: It's always good to have someone else look at what you've found. Dr. Amelia could show the letters to other history experts and see their thoughts.
• Research More: Maybe there are more documents or letters out there that support this new story. Dr. Amelia should keep looking to see if she can find more evidence.
• Share the Findings: If Dr. Amelia believes the letters are true after all her checks, she should tell others. This can be through books, talks, or articles.
• Stay Open to Feedback: Some people might agree with Dr. Amelia, and others might not. She should listen to everyone and be ready to learn more or change her mind if new information arises.

Ultimately, Dr. Amelia's job is to find out the truth about history and share it. It's okay if this new truth differs from what people used to believe. History is about learning from the past, no matter the story.

Related posts:

• Experimenter Bias (Definition + Examples)
• Hasty Generalization Fallacy (31 Examples + Similar Names)
• Ad Hoc Fallacy (29 Examples + Other Names)
• Confirmation Bias (Examples + Definition)
• Equivocation Fallacy (26 Examples + Description)

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What is Strategic Thinking? Definition and useful examples

Not in the mood to read? Listen to the podcast episode here, or watch the summary video below.  

It’s difficult to find a space in life where the word strategy isn’t used. The term is trendy in business circles. Suppose you start paying attention to some of the statements around the word “strategy” in your organization or the media. In that case, you will realize that it seems to mean different things to different people.

You can also find many definitions of “strategic thinking” on Google. It is hard to understand how these different concepts relate to us. Maybe that vagueness also contributes to the perception that it is a difficult skill to master.

Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do. Savielly Tartakower

The term covers topics from military history to college football to corporate finances and human resource practices. Being able to think strategically is one of the most important leadership traits. The leadership world has a few strategic leadership styles . However, this trait is also highly useful in everyday life.

Watch this video for a quick summary before you keep reading.

Strategy is a long-standing practice. We’ve been using the principles from ancient times for a long time. The Greek word strategy comes from “Stratos” (army or resource) and “ago” (to lead), so the definition is quite literal. In today’s business context, it is described in terms of goals. A strategy explains how an organization will achieve its goals and objectives.

Definition of Strategic Thinking

How vision, strategy, and tactics are related.

So, what is strategic thinking? What does it look like in everyday life? Can we really learn it?

What is strategic thinking?

In general, the term has been interchangeably used with any concept related to Strategy, vision, goals, and planning. Though we can’t put our finger on it, strategic thinking sounds more like using intuition in a methodical way rather than going with your gut. 

Lack of a proper definition shouldn’t stop you from cultivating this crucial skill in your own life. After all, it’s a good trait to have. In fact, as you advance in your career, it becomes more and more important. Most of us don’t even realize we need to learn it ourselves since it’s not taught as a valuable life skill at any point in our lives.

Well, does that mean we can’t think strategically just because we never took a strategic-thinking course at school? In fact, quite the contrary. We’re all born with some innate ability to think and act strategically. 

Can you think of a story of amazing success in your life?

Did it happen by chance, or did you plan and take action to achieve success? How did you handle the many challenges you encountered along the way? The chances are you had a strategy to achieve this goal in your life.

Expert strategic thinkers often credit their success to deliberate practice and life experiences rather than their innate ability. If that’s the case, it won’t hurt to find out what they’re doing differently, so pick up a trick or two to try in our own lives.

Let’s pause for a second. How do you know if you are not also an expert strategic thinker? Is it really necessary to improve your strategic thinking skills? 

Here are some simple questions to find out if you need any improvements.

• Do you feel you’re good at achieving the goals you set for yourself on a daily as well as a long-term basis?
• Do you sometimes feel the efforts you put in outweigh the results?
• Are your plans and actions bringing you closer to the things that matter the most?

In my case, I opted for ‘sometimes,’ ‘it depends’ or ‘mostly’ for each question. If you also didn’t answer ‘yes’ to all three, you might have an opportunity to reflect and sharpen your critical thinking. 

The questions aren’t meant to test our strategic thinking skills but to help us rethink, reflect, and realize there’s always room for improvement.

What is your next strategic goal in your life? How far are you from your goal?

Let’s simplify the strategic thinking definition since it’s still under development. Strategy is about the big-picture choices that have a broad and long-term impact. 

Strategic thinking is basically the practice of selecting a long-term goal and formulating an action plan toward reaching that goal. This forces you to think and plan several moves ahead than you would normally.

It includes goals, objectives, planning, resources, and more. It can’t be reduced to just any one of them. 

Suppose you decide to become a cloud engineer or cloud architect because cloud computing is one of the most sought-after hard skills at the moment. In that case, you are thinking strategically about which career path to follow in the next few years.

You think strategically when you pick a long-term goal and plan how to get there. That forces you to think ahead more than you normally would.

Vision, Strategy, and Tactics

These are all different aspects of successful strategic planning. They work together to help you reach your goals. Let’s look at a few strategic mindset examples.

A vision is the higher goal that you aim for personally or professionally. It’s your way of telling yourself what you want in the future.

A vision statement reflects the organization’s long-term goals, aspirations, and overall purpose in a few sentences. Here are a few examples of vision statements: 

“We will be the best construction company in North America.”

“We will create an employee-centric culture.”

“We want to build a company that is sustainable for generations.”

It is how you’ll figure out how to reach your vision. For example, a company’s Strategy includes topics such as where it wants to go, how to interact with customers, and how to revise its current trajectory if needed.

It can be a general guiding principle or a well-organized plan. It is always created within the context of your vision. Remember that the purpose of the Strategy is to help you reach your vision.

Some examples of strategies include:

“We want to become the most efficient organization in our manufacturing sector.”

“We want to use technology to transform the way we work.”

“We want our employees to put customers first.”

Tactics are the steps you take to reach a goal. They’re more specific than vision, and they’re what will get you from point A to point B. The tactics should have an end and a beginning. They shouldn’t be ongoing projects or initiatives without a defined end.

Keep in mind that tactics are designed around your overall Strategy, which leads you toward your vision. Therefore, tactics shouldn’t be left to chance but instead thoughtfully planned and executed. This is where you lay out all your steps and timelines to reach your goal.

Acquisition of strategically important subcontractor companies is one example of a tactic employed to accomplish the company’s vision of being the best construction company in North America, one of the vision examples earlier.

Let’s look at an example in real life.

Vision: A businessman wanted to create an organization that would help people begin new businesses. This organization would help them find funding and develop their business models.

Strategy: He designed a program to assist people at different stages of their business planning. The program helps people build or complete existing business plans. Then provide them with resources to begin implementing those plans.

Tactics: He would conduct a pilot program to test this Strategy. The goal was to get feedback from participants to improve and move forward with a more comprehensive program.

Here is another example;

Vision: A company wanted to groom managers who had the right skills and experience to complete unique projects the company is known for.

Strategy: The company allowed a selected group of employees to work on various projects so they can gain experience.

Tactics: They’d give a bunch of different projects to the employees throughout the year so they would have the chance to work in different areas. Then they are encouraged to adopt success from one area to another and evaluate its impact.

Yeah, you may say that makes sense in a business context, but can I apply strategic skills to my everyday life?  Yes, we can, and we often do, in most cases, unconsciously and on the fly. 

Next, we’ll talk about how to make it a habit.

Making time for strategic thinking

It’s important to schedule time for strategic thinking, just like we all love exercising or walking. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few minutes per day; what matters is that you make it a part of your day.

The best time to do strategic thinking is when you’re most focused and alert. So it is no brainer to avoid making important decisions or thinking about them when feeling tired or lousy. 

For some of you, the best time might be early morning. Or when you go for a walk in the evening. Find the time that works for you, and then add it to your daily routine.

How to create an informed strategy?

You have to gather as much information as you can. First, you’ll have to figure out your options and how they’ll work in different scenarios. Next, decide what outcome you want to achieve in each scenario. Finally, make sure you have the resources available to achieve that outcome. The output of this exercise is your strategic plan.

A strategic plan is like a roadmap. It starts by assessing where you are now and where you want to be. While there are many ways to develop a strategic plan, SWOT analysis is one of the easiest tools. It will help you determine how to best use your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to advance your plan.

Once you have done your simple SWOT exercise, let’s put it into an action plan.

• Define your vision statement

Your vision statement should be inspiring and focused on the future you desire. This is your future goal. Make sure it’s inspiring, something you really want to do. It could be a certain amount of money you hope to earn or a dream job, or a target related to your current job that you hope to accomplish.

• Come up with strategies

Strategies help you in achieving your vision or goal. Start by coming up with 1-3 strategies, each of which we will expand to include 1-3 concrete actions that can be taken tomorrow to reach the goal.

• Expand to include tactics

Tactics are the specific steps you take to move toward your vision. You can think of tactics as concrete activities that move you in the right direction.

• Measure your progress and refine

Come up with some indicators to measure your progress and determine if your strategic plan is working. For example, if your goal is to jog 10 miles by the end of summer, you can plan how many miles you intend to jog each month.

It’s also important to take deliberate action when necessary by looking at your progress. We need to get rid of goals that no longer serve a purpose and replace them with ones that work better. You can also change your vision if something comes up that relates in some way to the original goal. Life happens, and none of us has absolute control over everything happening around us.

What is an example of strategic thinking that illustrates this systematic approach? Let’s look at a simple example to see how these steps come together.

Vision: A teen clothing brand wanted to show that the company cared about the environment just like its young customers.

Strategy: The company decided to source raw materials from suppliers who adhere to sustainable farming practices.

Tactics: The company gradually influenced its current suppliers to adopt sustainable practices. At the same time, they incorporated the new initiative into their marketing campaigns.

A personal example to illustrate the use of the technique in real life. Mostly we use this technique already without paying attention that we are using it.

Vision: A father wanted to get involved in his kids’ lives again so they could spend more time together.

Strategy: He decided to find ways to get involved in activities his kids liked.

Tactics: He volunteered to coach soccer so he can spend more time with his son. 

The important decisions are about solving specific problems. For each problem, we can think about different strategies before committing to one. Here are some benefits you’ll experience when you apply your strategic thinking consciously in your day-to-day situations.

• Get a better handle on your life goals and ambitions.
• Pour your energy into something you are passionate about
• Reduce your stress level
• Improve your decision making skills

It’s true that strategic thinking skills are valuable, and some people (like senior executives or policymakers) need them more than others. But most people can develop these skills on their own if they invest a little bit of time and effort. Strategic thinking skills can be learned. It is a huge benefit if you can think strategically in extremely complicated situations.

In my experience, strategic plans are as important at a personal level as they are at an organizational level and drawing up a strategic plan is not a daunting undertaking. So, next time you face a challenge, consider approaching it strategically using a strategic planning tool of your choice.

Time and opportunities fly by, so plan your time and resources strategically to get where you want to go.

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20 Essential Strategic Thinking Exercises for Maximum Impact

• 1 The Importance of Strategic Thinking Exercises
• 2 Exercises to Enhance Strategic Thinking Skills
• 3 Encouraging Strategic Thinking in Your Organization

Strategic thinking is a crucial skill for business leaders, managers, and employees in today’s fast-paced, competitive world. It involves generating long-term goals, anticipating trends, and making informed decisions to gain a competitive advantage. In this article, we will explore various strategic thinking exercises that can help you and your team think more strategically, strengthen your strategic thinking skills, and become a strategic thinker.

The Importance of Strategic Thinking Exercises

Strategic thinking is essential for leadership, creativity, and achieving an organization’s goals and objectives. It allows business leaders to analyze their company’s position, envision new ideas, and develop a strategic plan to execute those ideas. By encouraging strategic thinking, managers can foster an environment where employees are continually seeking new ways to improve the organization and achieve positive outcomes.

Exercises to Enhance Strategic Thinking Skills

In this article section, we will explore 20 exercises specifically designed to enhance your strategic thinking skills. Strategic thinking techniques are essential for leaders to navigate complex challenges, make informed decisions, and drive organizational success.

These exercises will help you sharpen your strategic thinking abilities, expand your perspectives, and unleash your creativity. By engaging in these exercises, you will cultivate a strategic mindset and develop the skills necessary to tackle the ever-evolving business landscape. Get ready to strengthen your strategic thinking muscles as we dive into these 20 exercises!

1. Scenario Planning

Scenario planning is an exercise that encourages participants to envision various future scenarios for their organization. By brainstorming potential situations, team members can anticipate potential challenges, develop new ideas, and create actionable plans to tackle those challenges. This exercise helps to improve strategic thinking skills by allowing participants to analyze trends, evaluate the possible outcomes, and customize their approach based on the insights gained.

2. Brainzooming

Brainzooming is a team-building exercise that promotes strategic thinking by challenging participants to generate new ideas and solve problems creatively. In this exercise, team members are encouraged to think outside the box and explore new perspectives. By combining creativity with strategic thinking, participants can develop innovative solutions that deliver a competitive advantage.

3. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps individuals and organizations identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This exercise allows participants to evaluate their current situation, anticipate future trends, and develop strategies to address potential challenges. By understanding their organization’s position, participants can make informed decisions and execute plans that align with their goals.

4. Objective Setting

Setting clear objectives is a critical step in strategic thinking. This exercise involves establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your organization. By focusing on your goals and objectives, you can ensure that your strategic thinking efforts are aligned with your organization’s priorities and desired outcomes.

5. Competitive Analysis

Understanding your competitors is essential to strategic thinking. In this exercise, participants are encouraged to analyze their competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By evaluating the competitive landscape, team members can develop strategies to differentiate themselves from their competitors and gain a competitive advantage.

6. Trend Analysis

Trend analysis is an exercise that focuses on identifying emerging trends and understanding their potential impact on your organization. By staying informed about industry trends, participants can anticipate changes, adapt their strategies, and capitalize on new opportunities.

7. Communication Skills Development

Effective communication is vital for strategic thinking. In this exercise, participants are encouraged to practice their communication skills by presenting their ideas, engaging in discussions, and collaborating with others. By improving their communication skills, team members can better articulate their strategic vision and gain buy-in from others.

8. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual tool that helps individuals and teams organize their thoughts, ideas, and information. By creating a visual representation of your ideas, you can better understand the relationships between different concepts and identify new connections. This tool can be particularly useful for brainstorming, problem-solving, and strategic planning sessions.

9. PESTLE Analysis

PESTLE analysis is a strategic tool that examines the external factors affecting an organization. It stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors. By assessing these factors, you can identify potential opportunities and threats in the external environment and develop strategies to address them. This analysis helps to broaden your perspective and consider various external influences on your organization.

10. Gap Analysis

Gap analysis is a tool that helps you identify the difference between your organization’s current state and its desired future state. By understanding the gaps in performance, resources, or capabilities, you can develop targeted strategies to bridge those gaps and achieve your goals. This tool can be useful for strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance improvement initiatives.

11. Game Theory

Game theory is a strategic tool that examines decision-making and interactions between different players in a competitive environment. By using game theory, you can understand the potential outcomes of various strategic decisions and develop optimal strategies based on the behavior of other players. This tool can be particularly helpful for understanding competitive dynamics and developing strategies to outperform your competitors.

12. Balanced Scorecard

The balanced scorecard is a strategic management tool that helps organizations track their performance across multiple dimensions, including financial, customer, internal processes, and learning and growth perspectives. By monitoring performance across these dimensions, you can ensure that your strategic initiatives are balanced and aligned with your organization’s overall objectives. This tool can be useful for performance measurement, strategic planning, and decision-making.

13. Porter’s Five Forces

Porter’s Five Forces is a strategic analysis tool that helps organizations understand the competitive forces within their industry. The five forces include the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of suppliers, the bargaining power of buyers, the threat of substitute products or services, and the intensity of competitive rivalry. By analyzing these forces, you can develop strategies to enhance your competitive position and achieve long-term success.

14. Reverse Brainstorming

Reverse brainstorming is a creative problem-solving exercise that involves identifying potential problems instead of solutions. By focusing on potential issues, participants can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they face and develop strategies to prevent or mitigate them. This exercise encourages strategic thinking by requiring participants to anticipate potential obstacles and develop proactive solutions.

15. The Six Thinking Hats

The Six Thinking Hats exercise, developed by Edward de Bono, is a technique that encourages participants to approach problems and decisions from different perspectives. The six hats represent different modes of thinking: white (facts and information), red (emotions and feelings), black (critical judgment), yellow (positive aspects), green (creativity and new ideas), and blue (process and organization). By switching between these different modes of thinking, participants can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and develop well-rounded strategies.

16. Role Playing

Role-playing exercises require participants to assume different roles within a hypothetical scenario. By stepping into the shoes of others, participants can gain a better understanding of different perspectives, anticipate potential reactions, and develop strategies that consider the needs and motivations of various stakeholders. This exercise enhances strategic thinking skills by encouraging empathy and a broader understanding of the situation.

17. The Five Whys

The Five Whys exercise is a technique used to identify the root cause of a problem by asking “why” five times. By continually asking why a problem exists, participants can uncover the underlying issues and develop targeted strategies to address them. This exercise encourages strategic thinking by requiring participants to analyze problems deeply and develop long-term solutions.

18. Pre-Mortem Analysis

A pre-mortem analysis is an exercise that involves imagining that a project or initiative has failed and then identifying the reasons for the failure. By anticipating potential pitfalls and challenges, participants can develop strategies to prevent or mitigate those issues before they occur. This exercise promotes strategic thinking by encouraging participants to think critically about potential risks and develop proactive solutions.

19. Blue Ocean Strategy

The Blue Ocean Strategy exercise encourages participants to identify untapped market spaces and create new demand by developing innovative products or services. By focusing on differentiation and low cost, participants can create a competitive advantage and achieve long-term success. This exercise enhances strategic thinking skills by encouraging innovation and the exploration of new opportunities.

20. The Four Quadrant Matrix

The Four Quadrant Matrix is a strategic decision-making tool that helps participants prioritize tasks or initiatives based on their importance and urgency. By categorizing tasks into four quadrants (urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important), participants can allocate their resources and time more effectively. This exercise encourages strategic thinking by requiring participants to evaluate priorities and make informed decisions.

Encouraging Strategic Thinking in Your Organization

To encourage strategic thinking within your organization, consider implementing workshops, team-building exercises, and brain training activities that focus on strategic thinking skills. Providing employees with the tools and resources to think strategically can lead to increased innovation, improved decision-making, and a more successful organization.

In conclusion, strategic thinking exercises are essential for developing the skills necessary to become a strategic thinker. By practicing these exercises regularly, individuals and teams can improve their ability to anticipate trends, evaluate potential challenges, and develop innovative solutions to achieve their goals. Take the time to invest in your strategic thinking skills and watch your organization thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

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Critical Thinking vs Strategic Thinking: Which is Better?

Dive into the world of "Critical Thinking vs Strategic Thinking" and discover which is the superior mindset for success. Gain insights into what critical thinking and strategic thinking entail. Uncover how critical and strategic thinking can complement each other and by the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of which thinking style suits your objectives best.

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In reality, both can complement each and be used together to get better outcomes. Want to know how? Read this blog to learn about the key differences between Critical Thinking vs Strategic Thinking. Also, understand how they can be used together to drive success. 

Table of Contents   

1) Understanding Critical Thinking and Strategic Thinking  

     a) What is Critical Thinking? 

     b) Exploring Strategic Thinking    

2) Difference between Critical Thinking vs Strategic Thinking  

     a) Focus and emphasis  

     b) Mindset and approach  

     c) Timeframe and scope    

     d) Application and outcomes    

     3) Complementary nature of Critical Thinking and Strategic Thinking  

4) Conclusion  

Understanding Critical Thinking and Strategic Thinking   

Before exploring the difference between the two and which is better, it is essential to understand both. Let's have a brief look at both the skills: 

What is Critical Thinking?  

Critical Thinking is a systematic and objective approach to analysing and evaluating information. It involves gathering evidence, questioning assumptions, and applying logical reasoning to form well-informed judgments. Key components of Critical Thinking include the following:  

a) Information analysis : Gathering and examining information from various sources before forming opinions or making decisions.  

b) Objective evaluation : Assessing evidence for reliability and validity, identifying biases, and detecting fallacies in arguments.  

c) Problem-solving : Breaking down complex problems, considering alternative perspectives, and generating practical solutions.  

By developing Critical Thinking skills, individuals become more effective problem solvers, make informed decisions, and achieve a broader understanding of the world. 

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Understanding Strategic Thinking   

Strategic Thinking is a process that involves a proactive and forward-looking approach to planning, goal setting, and decision-making. It goes beyond immediate problem-solving and focuses on long-term implications, patterns, and connections. Strategic Thinking encompasses several key elements:  

a) Planning and goal setting : Strategic Thinking emphasises the creation of a roadmap for achieving desired outcomes. It involves setting clear goals, defining strategies, and outlining steps to reach those objectives.  

b) Vision and foresight : Strategic thinkers can envision future possibilities and anticipate challenges and opportunities. They consider long-term implications and trends to make decisions that align with the desired outcomes.  

c) Pattern recognition : Strategic thinking focuses on identifying patterns, trends, and interrelationships among various factors. They can understand the underlying connections to get an overview of a situation.  

d) Risk assessment and opportunity evaluation : Strategic Thinking involves assessing potential risks and rewards associated with different actions. It allows individuals to make calculated decisions by weighing the potential benefits against potential drawbacks.  

Strategic Thinking is particularly valuable in planning and navigating uncertain or complex situations. By adopting a strategic mindset, individuals can anticipate challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and take advantage of emerging opportunities. 

Difference between Critical Thinking vs Strategic Thinking   

Focus and emphasis   

Critical Thinking primarily focuses on analysing and evaluating information objectively. Its main emphasis is on logical reasoning, evidence assessment, and identifying biases or fallacies in arguments. Critical Thinking ensures accuracy, clarity, and sound judgment in decision-making and problem-solving.  

Strategic Thinking prioritises planning, goal-setting, and long-term vision. It looks beyond immediate analysis and focuses on understanding patterns, connections, and future implications. Strategic Thinking aims to align actions and decisions with long-term objectives and effectively navigate complex or uncertain environments. 

Mindset and approach   

Critical Thinking involves a mindset of scepticism and intellectual curiosity. It encourages individuals to question assumptions, challenge conventional wisdom, and seek evidence-based conclusions. Moreover, Critical Thinking is more analytical and fact-based, aiming to uncover the truth and make well-reasoned judgments. 

On the other hand, Strategic Thinking involves a mindset of forward-thinking and creativity. It encourages individuals to explore future possibilities, envision desired outcomes, and think holistically about the bigger picture. The Strategic Thinking approach is more visionary, seeking to develop plans and strategies that align with long-term goals and capitalise on emerging opportunities. 

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Timeframe and scope   

Critical Thinking tends to focus on immediate issues and problems at hand. It involves analysing a situation in detail, gathering relevant information, and evaluating it objectively. Additionally, Critical Thinking is crucial for making informed decisions in real time and solving specific problems effectively. 

In contrast, Strategic Thinking takes a broader and more long-term perspective. It considers the larger context, trends, and potential future scenarios. Considering these factors allows for assessing risks, anticipating challenges, and developing plans encompassing multiple aspects of a situation. Strategic Thinking also provides a roadmap for achieving long-term objectives and navigating complex environments. 

Application and outcomes   

Critical Thinking is highly valuable in situations that require objective analysis, such as evaluating evidence, assessing arguments, or identifying flaws in reasoning. It is crucial for making informed decisions based on facts and evidence, especially in scientific research, critical analysis, or logical problem-solving. 

Complementary nature of Critical Thinking and Strategic Thinking   

Critical Thinking and Strategic Thinking are complementary approaches that enhance decision-making, problem-solving, and planning. While Critical Thinking provides a solid foundation of analysis, objectivity, and evidence evaluation, ensuring accuracy in strategic plans. Strategic Thinking adds creativity, foresight, and a long-term perspective, encouraging individuals to envision desired outcomes and adapt to changing circumstances. 

By integrating Critical and Strategic Thinking, individuals balance short-term needs and long-term goals. They can analyse problems effectively and consider broader contexts. This combination fosters adaptability, agility, and robust, well-informed and forward-thinking decision-making. 

Conclusion   

While there are some fundamental differences between Critical Thinking vs Strategic Thinking, both are valuable thinking styles that can be developed and applied to improve decisions and solve problems. So, embrace the power of Strategic & Critical Thinking in your process and lead yourself to success. 

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Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples

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Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings.

Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information, and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve problems or make decisions. Employers prioritize the ability to think critically—find out why, plus see how you can demonstrate that you have this ability throughout the job application process. 

Why Do Employers Value Critical Thinking Skills?

Employers want job candidates who can evaluate a situation using logical thought and offer the best solution.

 Someone with critical thinking skills can be trusted to make decisions independently, and will not need constant handholding.

Hiring a critical thinker means that micromanaging won't be required. Critical thinking abilities are among the most sought-after skills in almost every industry and workplace. You can demonstrate critical thinking by using related keywords in your resume and cover letter, and during your interview.

Examples of Critical Thinking

The circumstances that demand critical thinking vary from industry to industry. Some examples include:

• A triage nurse analyzes the cases at hand and decides the order by which the patients should be treated.
• A plumber evaluates the materials that would best suit a particular job.
• An attorney reviews evidence and devises a strategy to win a case or to decide whether to settle out of court.
• A manager analyzes customer feedback forms and uses this information to develop a customer service training session for employees.

Promote Your Skills in Your Job Search

If critical thinking is a key phrase in the job listings you are applying for, be sure to emphasize your critical thinking skills throughout your job search.

Add Keywords to Your Resume

You can use critical thinking keywords (analytical, problem solving, creativity, etc.) in your resume. When describing your  work history , include top critical thinking skills that accurately describe you. You can also include them in your  resume summary , if you have one.

For example, your summary might read, “Marketing Associate with five years of experience in project management. Skilled in conducting thorough market research and competitor analysis to assess market trends and client needs, and to develop appropriate acquisition tactics.”

Mention Skills in Your Cover Letter

Include these critical thinking skills in your cover letter. In the body of your letter, mention one or two of these skills, and give specific examples of times when you have demonstrated them at work. Think about times when you had to analyze or evaluate materials to solve a problem.

Show the Interviewer Your Skills

You can use these skill words in an interview. Discuss a time when you were faced with a particular problem or challenge at work and explain how you applied critical thinking to solve it.

Some interviewers will give you a hypothetical scenario or problem, and ask you to use critical thinking skills to solve it. In this case, explain your thought process thoroughly to the interviewer. He or she is typically more focused on how you arrive at your solution rather than the solution itself. The interviewer wants to see you analyze and evaluate (key parts of critical thinking) the given scenario or problem.

Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read the job description carefully and focus on the skills listed by the employer.

Top Critical Thinking Skills

Keep these in-demand critical thinking skills in mind as you update your resume and write your cover letter. As you've seen, you can also emphasize them at other points throughout the application process, such as your interview. 

Part of critical thinking is the ability to carefully examine something, whether it is a problem, a set of data, or a text. People with  analytical skills  can examine information, understand what it means, and properly explain to others the implications of that information.

• Asking Thoughtful Questions
• Data Analysis
• Interpretation
• Questioning Evidence
• Recognizing Patterns

Communication

Often, you will need to share your conclusions with your employers or with a group of colleagues. You need to be able to  communicate with others  to share your ideas effectively. You might also need to engage in critical thinking in a group. In this case, you will need to work with others and communicate effectively to figure out solutions to complex problems.

• Active Listening
• Collaboration
• Explanation
• Interpersonal
• Presentation
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication

Critical thinking often involves creativity and innovation. You might need to spot patterns in the information you are looking at or come up with a solution that no one else has thought of before. All of this involves a creative eye that can take a different approach from all other approaches.

• Flexibility
• Conceptualization
• Imagination
• Drawing Connections
• Synthesizing

Open-Mindedness

To think critically, you need to be able to put aside any assumptions or judgments and merely analyze the information you receive. You need to be objective, evaluating ideas without bias.

• Objectivity
• Observation

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is another critical thinking skill that involves analyzing a problem, generating and implementing a solution, and assessing the success of the plan. Employers don’t simply want employees who can think about information critically. They also need to be able to come up with practical solutions.

• Attention to Detail
• Clarification
• Decision Making
• Groundedness
• Identifying Patterns

More Critical Thinking Skills

• Inductive Reasoning
• Deductive Reasoning
• Noticing Outliers
• Adaptability
• Emotional Intelligence
• Brainstorming
• Optimization
• Restructuring
• Integration
• Strategic Planning
• Project Management
• Ongoing Improvement
• Causal Relationships
• Case Analysis
• Diagnostics
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Intelligence
• Quantitative Data Management
• Qualitative Data Management
• Risk Management
• Scientific Method
• Consumer Behavior

Key Takeaways

• Demonstrate that you have critical thinking skills by adding relevant keywords to your resume.
• Mention pertinent critical thinking skills in your cover letter, too, and include an example of a time when you demonstrated them at work.
• Finally, highlight critical thinking skills during your interview. For instance, you might discuss a time when you were faced with a challenge at work and explain how you applied critical thinking skills to solve it.

University of Louisville. " What is Critical Thinking ."

American Management Association. " AMA Critical Skills Survey: Workers Need Higher Level Skills to Succeed in the 21st Century ."

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