Strategic thinking is undeniably the foundation of good leadership. It enables us to foresee trends, identify opportunities, and focus on critical activities. However, in the middle of the chaos of everyday commitments, such an important practise can sometimes take a second place.
Have you ever noticed that your allotted strategic thinking time is being swallowed by the demands of the day? It’s past time to alter that dynamic!
To begin, set out particular time periods on your calendar for strategic thought.🗓️ Although setting aside ‘thinking time’ may appear unusual, the practise is essential. Protect these time blocks with your life by not allowing them to be consumed by meetings, phone calls, or other pressing obligations. A mandatory group meeting? Simply postpone, rather than cancel, your strategic thinking session.
Secondly, resist the temptation to saturate every spare minute with distractions. Be it a deep dive into social media or succumbing to the allure of audiobooks, substitute these with moments of introspection and exploration. Embrace the tranquillity of these moments – the wandering mind is often the origin of our most profound insights.💭
Finally, recognise the need of accountability. Find a partner – a colleague with whom you can communicate and feel accountable. This sense of dedication might help you turn this resolution into a steady habit.
To paraphrase the late corporate theorist Peter Drucker, “the best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Let us help strategic thinking rise to the level it deserves in our professional world. Strategic thinking should be an ongoing discipline, not just a priority.
With strategic thinking at the helm, we can guarantee that we are not simply reacting to the urgency of the present, but that we are proactively determining the trajectory of the future.
Now I’d want to challenge you to do the following:
- Make time this week in your calendar for strategic thought.
- Find a ‘thinking partner’ in your professional network.
- Instead of being distracted, use your next spare moment to think.
Remember, it’s not about having time, but about making time. Let us build the future we want!
#Leadership #Management #BusinessStrategy #TimeManagement #StrategicThinking