Strategic thinking is a learned discipline, not just a trait some are born with. To get better at it, leaders need to intentionally sharpen their mindset, skills, and habits. Here's a practical breakdown of how to do that:
1. Shift from Operator to ArchitectOperational work focuses on the day-to-day, while strategic thinking focuses on shaping the future. You need to deliberately shift how you allocate time and mental energy.
Tip: Use the 70-20-10 rule—spend 70% on strategic priorities, 20% on enabling others, and 10% on firefighting.
Practice: Audit your calendar monthly. Are you spending time on what's important, or just what’s urgent?
2. Practice Systems ThinkingStrategic thinkers look beyond symptoms and see the systems at play.
Action: Map out cause-effect relationships when analysing challenges (e.g. using causal loop diagrams or fishbone diagrams).
Question to ask: What patterns or structures are influencing these outcomes?
3. Read Broadly and Cross-FunctionallyLeaders who think strategically draw insights from multiple disciplines—economics, psychology, technology, sustainability, etc.
Tip: Read one book or listen to one podcast a month that is outside your domain.
Challenge: Attend events or forums in industries different from your own.
4. Build Time for Strategic ThinkingYou can't think strategically in 5-minute gaps between meetings. Strategic thinking requires space for deep, uninterrupted thought.
Tip: Block “strategic thinking time” each week—treat it as a non-negotiable.
Tool: Use reflection questions like:
What are the three biggest external forces that could disrupt us?
If we had to start this company again today, what would we do differently?
5. Develop Strategic CuriosityCultivate the habit of questioning assumptions and exploring alternatives.
Practice: When someone proposes a solution, ask: What else could work? What would the opposite approach look like?
Tool: Use Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats technique to consider issues from multiple angles.
6. Engage with Diverse ThinkersStrategic insight often comes from conversation, not isolation.
Action: Surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking—mentors, peers, advisors, even skeptics.
Tip: Create a personal “strategic advisory board” (formal or informal) to test your ideas.
7. Use Strategic Frameworks OftenFamiliarity with proven tools helps you think more clearly and consistently.
Examples:
Porter’s Five Forces – industry competition
Blue Ocean Strategy – innovation and differentiation
Balanced Scorecard – aligning strategy to performance
Scenario Planning – exploring future possibilities
8. Reflect on Strategic DecisionsLearn from the past to improve future choices.
Action: After major decisions, conduct a strategic review. What worked? What didn’t? What blind spots emerged?
Tool: Use pre-mortems and post-mortems for key initiatives.
Getting better at strategic thinking is a journey—it’s not about having the perfect answer, but consistently applying the discipline to see farther, think deeper, and lead with intent.