THE IMPORTANCE OF THINKING STRATEGICALLY Muhammad Nazim bin Abd. Rahman Senior Training Consultant Leadership and Executive Development Cluster INTAN Bukit Kiara Updated February 2015
Lecture Content Strategic Thinking Strategic Thinking Definitions Tips to Enhance Strategic Thinking When to Use Strategic Thinking? Exercise in Thinking Strategically Q & A Session
What is Strategic Thinking? Text Books Definitions:
“Strategic Thinking is analyzing opportunities
Strategic Thinking Thinking Strategically (2010) by David J. Collis. Harvard Business School Press, Boston
and problems from a broad perspective and understanding the potential impact your actions might have on others.”
“Strategic thinking focuses on the long term rather than the short-term. It focuses on the big picture and the small picture, as opposed to just focusing on the small picture. Strategic thinking is both analytical and creative.”
Taken from [http://www.britishcouncil.org/profes sionals-work-strategic-thinking-1.htm]
What is Strategic Thinking? This Session Definition:
Strategic Thinking is a thinking skill in ‘seeing’ issues, problems, opportunities and threats in a larger and broader perspective (‘the big picture’) and being able to understand the inter-relation of all the elements involved so that the best course of action could be formulated to achieve the desired
Strategic Thinking For this particular session we use this statement to define ‘strategic thinking.’
What is Strategic Thinking? Liedtka Model Definition:
Jeanne M. Liedtka (1998) observed five “major attributes of strategic thinking in practice” which later known as the ‘Liedtka Model’
“Strategic Thinking is a thinking process involving elements of Systems Perspective; Intent
Strategic Thinking
Jeanne M. Liedtka, Prof. University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business
FIVE ELEMENTS EXPLANATIONS IN LIEDTKA MODEL
Strategic
1 Systems
Strategic Thinkers has a mental model of the complete system from beginning to the end
2 Intent Focus
To focus attention, to resist distraction, and to concentrate for as long as it takes to achieve a goal
3 Intelligent
Taking advantage of alternative strategies that may emerge as more relevant
4 Thinking in
Oscillation between the past, present, and future is essential especially for strategy formulation and execution.
5 Hypothesis
The ability to develop good hypotheses and test them efficiently is critical
Perspective
Opportunism Time
Driven
Tips to Enhance Strategic Thinking?
Strategic Thinking
“Draw ‘the big picture’ of the issue and all the elements involved. State clearly what is the goal, the objective, the desired result, the intended destination. Be clear on where you want to go and where exactly you are now. Identify all the stakeholders. Identify the political, economy, social, technology, environment and legislation (PESTEL) factors influencing the issue or the organisation. Determine the elements that will be the obstacles and the elements that could be the supporting agents in achieving your goals. Insert all other elements that you think are important, on to the big picture. Estimate how far is the gap between your current position (A) and your intended destination (A+). Take an accurate inventory of all the vital resources needed to travel from A until A+. Formulate and choose the best strategies to take the organisation from A to A+. And remember to always have several contingency plan.” ]
When to Use Strategic Thinking?
Strategic Thinking
Usually, Government officers use strategic thinking on three (3) occasions. One, when coming up with a Strategic Plan for their organisation’s. Two, when drafting a Cabinet Paper. Three, when formulating strategies to solve complex issues or problems As a guideline, use strategic thinking every time you are serious in wanting to achieve your goals and objectives especially when failure is not an option and resources are limited
Exercise in Thinking Strategically
Strategic Thinking
Here is a good exercise for you to sharpen your strategic thinking skills. Pair up with someone in the class and together, proceed to find the solution for the “Case Study: Thinking Strategically For The Betterment Of Our University Students�
Q&A Session
If not…