Strategic thinking isn't just a buzzword; it's a crucial skill set that professionals at all levels must cultivate as they advance in their careers. Whether you're an individual contributor, a middle manager, a people manager, or a senior leader, strategic thinking empowers you to analyze situations, anticipate challenges, and navigate a path to success.

At every level of leadership, strategic thinking takes on a unique form. For individual contributors, it's about managing projects and tasks efficiently, while middle managers juggle competing priorities and foster collaboration across teams. People managers adeptly handle team dynamics and project assignments, while senior leaders anticipate trends, identify growth opportunities, and make informed decisions aligned with organizational goals.

Strategic thinking extends beyond the workplace, too. Recently, while writing this blog, I found myself chatting with my friend's five-year-old son. I asked him if he could think of a situation where he would need to use strategic thinking. I know he was just being silly, when he said “I don’t know… what do crocodiles eat?” but, if there was a crocodile in your yard, the ability to think strategically would be invaluable.

Strategic Thinking isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

According to Gallup, the eight strengths that will help you succeed as a strategic thinker are:

Graphic depicting leadership skills to help you become a more strategic thinker

Analytical – People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They can think about all of the factors that might affect a situation.
Context – People exceptionally talented in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They understand the present by researching its history.
Futuristic – People exceptionally talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They energize others with their visions of the future.
Ideation – People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They can find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
Input – People exceptionally talented in the Input theme love to collect and archive. They may accumulate information, ideas, artifacts, or even relationships.
Intellection – People exceptionally talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
Learner – People exceptionally talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
Strategic – People exceptionally talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Assessing the Skills You Need

Understanding these strengths is crucial for honing strategic thinking skills. When clients approach me about becoming stronger strategic thinkers, I often ask them key questions to better understand:

Their definition of strategic thinking
Why developing this skill is important to them
Situations at work that require strategic thinking
Types of decisions they’re required to make
How they naturally think through challenges

The answers to these questions help assess which strengths clients already possess and which they might need to develop further.

Big Picture Thinking

Many of my clients are keen on using data to make strategic decisions, craft visions, and develop plans. These endeavors require more than just diving into the details; they demand a holistic, 30,000-foot view of the big picture.

Leaders who master big picture thinking can see the broader implications of their decisions. They excel at steering their teams through complex issues and uncertainties while guiding them towards a cohesive and shared vision. Big picture thinking isn’t just about setting or achieving goals; it’s about crafting a compelling narrative that others can rally around—a story that gives purpose and meaning to the work being done.

However, embracing big picture thinking can be daunting. Many individuals are not accustomed to thinking on such a scale and may face resistance from peers or leaders. Yet, stepping back from the details, looking at the big picture, and taking calculated risks are essential for effective leadership.

Skills To Develop for Big Picture Thinking

To become a proficient big picture thinker, let's start with two fundamental skills: self-assurance and communication, which I've previously discussed in my influential leadership blog. These skills are pivotal in articulating your plan, rallying your team, and fostering trust in yourself, your team, and the process.

Photo of two women standing over a desk discussing something and taking notes

Moving beyond these foundational skills, leaders who would like to improve their big picture thinking should focus on developing the following skills: input, context, ideation, futuristic thinking, and strategic.

The strengths of 'input' and 'context' are essential for constructing a comprehensive narrative rather than simply accepting data at face value. Both demand a moment of reflection before action. Leaders adept in these strengths recognize the importance of gathering diverse information from team members, gaining deeper insights into situational contexts, and considering factors beyond mere data points, such as human emotions and gut reactions. Emphasizing input and context empowers leaders to seek data from various sources, analyze it from different perspectives, and ask critical questions that may not be immediately evident.

On the other hand, 'futuristic' and 'ideation' strengths inspire visionary thinking, encouraging leaders to imagine possibilities for the future. Skilled in these strengths, leaders transcend current limitations and inspire others with compelling visions, fostering innovation and driving change.

At the core of big picture thinking lies the 'strategic' strength. Leaders with this strength excel at recognizing patterns and issues, swiftly evaluating alternatives, and charting the optimal path forward. In today's fast-paced environment, the ability to anticipate and plan several steps ahead is invaluable. One of my go-to phrases in the strategic toolbox is, "based on the available information, I believe the best course of action is..." Strategic thinking empowers leaders to make informed decisions, crafting actionable plans that translate ambitious visions into reality.

Final Thoughts

Strategic thinking is a highly sought-after and incredibly nuanced skill that leaders aspire to develop. Taking time to understand what elements of strategic thinking are critical to your role and organization is the first step for success. Leaders who embrace all sides of strategic thinking, from the details to the big picture, can inspire their teams to think more broadly, foster collaboration, and lead their team towards success.