015: Supercharge your strategic thinking (Strategy Toolkit 4)

Strategic thinking is essential for navigating the fast-changing world we live in. In this episode, I look at ways you can supercharge your strategic thinking skills, and make yourself invaluable to your organisation.It is possible to define five key ways of thinking about a problem. Combine these, and you have a more strategic approach.The first area I explore is systems thinking: visualising cause-and-effect across an interconnected network of people, teams and processes.The second area I identify is directional thinking: focusing on the problem you are trying to solve and thinking about the implications of potential solutions over a period of time.The third area is creative thinking: searching for new solutions and fresh perspectives on the problem you’re solving. In short, thinking outside the box.The fourth and fifth areas are related: divergent thinking involves impartially creating as many solutions to the problem as possible, whilst convergent thinking involves pulling promising solutions together, analysing the alternatives and making a decision.By practising combining these five approaches to problem-solving you’ll supercharge your strategic thinking skills.This is the fourth podcast episode in my Strategy Toolkit series. In the previous three episodes I explored the importance of developing a strategic response to COVID-19, the four essential building blocks of strategy and how to involve people in strategy development.Episode highlightsDefinitions of strategic thinking (01:15)Systems thinking (02:25)Directional thinking (05:20)Creative thinking (06:10)Divergent thinking (07:30)Convergent thinking (08:20)References and resourcesStrategic Response Discussion: There are details about this service on my homepage. Do email me if you’re interested in me facilitating a discussion for your organisation.‘Rethinking Strategy in Independent Schools’ research reportStrategy briefing videos covering a variety of topics including strategic trial and error and how to change behaviour to control costsFundraising Focus Programme: Expert fundraising advice to fit your school's budgetSign up to Juliet Corbett’s newsletter at www.consultjuliet.co.uk/signupFind out more about Juliet Corbett’s work and discover a host of free resources at www.consultjuliet.co.ukThank you so much for listening to The Independent School Podcast. I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes to send me some feedback here. This helps me make the podcast as helpful as possible to listeners. Thank you!