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At this point, there is no generally accepteddefinition of the term, no common

agreement as to its role or importance, andno standardized list of key competencies ofstrategic thinkers.

Wikipedia

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Strategic thinkingis learned, not

innate.

Strategic thinkingcannot be taught.

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The ability to see what is - and what could be

and make choices that lead to desired outcomes.

Analysis

Vision/Goals

Seeingsystems

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Vision/goaldriven.

Analytical.(Makes sense of

diverse input anddata.)

Sees systems.(causes,

relationships,leverage points)

Focused on longtermforces,

trends, impacts.

Weighs decisionsagainst criteria.

Thinks acrosspast, presentand future.

Anticipatesunwanted

events and risk.

Allows forintelligent

opportunism

Questionsassumptions,

habits andconclusions.

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What is our goal/purpose? What key problems, causes and solutions do we exist to

address?

What are past, current and possible future trends?

What are the key opportunities and threats we face?(Where is greatest leverage? Where is greatest risk?)

What will it take? What are possible course of action?

What are the implications of these choices?

What criteria will we use to choose and evaluate acourse of action?

How does our plan intersect with other goals/plans?

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sharedvision/goals

historicalanalysis

power analysisProblems and

causes

opportunitiesand threats

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Morepower

LessPower

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Immediateonly

Long termonly

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When faced with achoice, we mayANCHOR on a certaingood outcome we thinkwill occur.

It can be hard to remainopen to other options orimplications.

Anchoring is often theresult of over-the-topurgency to just do

something.

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We all have biases.

We select for

information thatsupports our viewpointand experiences.

We tend to disregardinformation that doesntfit our beliefs/values.

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SELF-REFLECTION

What are my own strengths and weaknesses related to

strategic thinking?

What adjustments can I make? How might I improvemy own strategic thinking skills and habits?

How can I provide more strategic leadership regardless of the position I hold?

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GROUP REFLECTION

How can we (continue to) develop a shared analysis

among the staff and board?

How can we (continue to) nurture a staff culture thatpromotes strategic thinking?

What skills/habits can we learn to improve our abilityto think and work strategically as a staff team?