To gain the power of strategic thinking it’s not specialist task, anyone can empower himself or herself with this and can become a better strategic thinker. If you wish to be able to formulate and implement plans that will achieve the desired objective, you may consider the following pointers to practice:
1. Break Down the problem in to smaller pieces
Any problem which looks too big can still be solved easily if you break it in to small pieces and the big problem will become multiple small problems. The first step in strategic thinking is to break down an issue into smaller, more manageable parts so that you can focus on them more effectively. That’s what automotive innovator Henry Ford did when he created the assembly line, and that’s why he said, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs. How you break down an issue is up to you, whether it’s by function, timetable, responsibility, purpose, or some other method. The point is that you need to break it down.
2. Start with Why before you think of How
Most of the people often make the mistake of jumping the gun and trying immediately to figure out how to accomplish the objective. Instead of asking how, they should first ask why. If you jump right into problem solving mode, how are you going to know all the issues? Thousands of engineers can design bridges or buildings, but the great engineer is the man who can tell whether the bridge or the building should be built at all, where it should be built, and when and why. Asking why helps you to think about all the reasons for decisions. It helps you to open your mind to possibilities and opportunities.
3. Define the problem right
William Feather, author of The Business of Life, said, “Before it can be solved, a problem must be clearly defined.” Too many people rush to solutions, and as a result they end up solving the wrong problem. To avoid that, ask probing questions to expose the real issues. Challenge all of your assumptions. Collect information, you may not want to jump to a conclusion before you gather enough information to What else could be the real issue? Discovering your real situation and objectives is a major part of the battle. Once you identify and define the problem right, the solutions are easy to find.
4. Be mindful of your Resources
In life or profession, you will never be working infinite resources. You will always have some or other limitations. A strategy that doesn’t take into account resources is doomed to failure. Be mindful about, How much time do you have? How much money? What kinds of materials, supplies, or inventory do you have? What are your other assets? What liabilities or obligations will come into play? What is your team size, who can make an impact? You know your own organization and profession. Figure out what resources you have at your disposal and in case of need where the support will come from.
5. Develop Your Plan
How you approach the planning process depends greatly on your profession and the size of the challenge that you’re planning to tackle, so it’s difficult to recommend many specifics. However, no matter how you go about planning, take this advice: start with the obvious. When you tackle an issue or plan that way, it brings unity and consensus to the team, because everyone sees those things. Obvious elements build mental momentum and initiate creativity and intensity. The best way to create a road to the complex is to build on the fundamentals.
6. Put the Right People in the Right Place
When you are working as professional or in an bigger organisation, It’s critical that you include your team as part of your strategic thinking. Before you can implement your plan, you must make sure that you have the right people in place. Even the best strategic thinking won’t help if you don’t take into account the people part of the equation. Everything comes together, however, when you put together all three elements: the right person, the right place, and the right plan.
7. Strategic thinking is a repetitive Process
Strategic thinking is like your daily routine, you have to keep doing it. If you expect to solve any major problem once in a while, you may land in to a disappointment. Little things can be won easily through systems and personal discipline. But major issues need major strategic thinking time. If you want to be an effective strategic thinker, then you need to become a continuous strategic thinker.
One can move the wall in positive direction, One can create a new nation, one can create a billionaire business and raise the empire. That’s what can happen when you unleash the power of strategic thinking.
Inspired by How Successful People Think.