You need to develop strategic thinking and create a culture of strategic thinking within your organization. Strategic thinking often falls short because specific outcomes are difficult to trace to original strategic thinking or planning effort. The basics of developing and practicing cultural strategic thinking are to (a) connect new information to the old, (b) select the appropriate strategies, and then (c) plan, monitor, and evaluate the strategies you have put in place. Think about it as playing cultural detective: You ask your peers questions, and they clarify the information for you, and when they ask you questions, you clarify your thinking process for them. We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. Working with peers to question and explore cultural interactions to resolve cultural problems. Time and opportunities fly by, so plan your time and resources strategically to get where you want to go. Active listening focuses your mind on the speaker, and, if done repeatedly and successfully, you are able to build trust and a relationship with others. Practicing to be an active listener is making a conscious choice about your responses to others. 2023 Harvard Business School Publishing. In todays business context, it is described in terms of goals. Reactive thinkers see this analysis as criticism. Some people will talk to themselves; others find it helpful to have someone to talk to. The more times that you do this, the more strikes are against you. Strategic culture is not an autonomous concept, nor is it free of debates regarding its nature, the bearers of the concept, and its future. First, if you only have two possible solutions, there is a high likelihood that neither solution will work perfectly. The Greek word strategy comes from Stratos (army or resource) and ago (to lead), so the definition is quite literal. Beyond approaches covered previously to focus strategic thinking, broaden participation, and increase its rigor, a several principles can help create more tangible outcomes . For instance, years ago, I had about a dozen trainers on my staff. "@context": "https://schema.org", The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) fosters community and engagement for staff, develops programs and experiences for employees to increase their racial literacy and cultural fluency, and is committed to creating a community where all employees can be their authentic selves at work everyday. As in peer learning, talking to someone else gives you the opportunity to break down your thinking processes. In this way, strategic thinking is part of everyones job whatever their role or level of responsibility. opportunities to explore cultural interactions and resolve cultural problems. Strategic thinking is the ability to think on a big and small scale, long and short term, and into the past and the present. Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes said, The man who is prepared has his battle half fought. In the previous chapters, you have been presented with the three principles of cultural intelligence: cultural strategic thinking, motivation, and behavior. "mainEntity": [{ Track progress and reward strategic thinking. Culturally intelligent leaders must have excellent observation skills, never failing to hear and see the tangible and intangible. However, after managing my own company for over 20 years, I now better understand what the interviewer was getting at. It will help you determine how to best use your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to advance your plan. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Strategic thinking is really nothing more than planning on steroids. Strategy: The company decided to source raw materials from suppliers who adhere to sustainable farming practices. "@type": "Answer", WebThinking about Strategic Culture | 33 shortcomings in ahistorical and non-cultural structural models of strategic choice at the heart of mainstream international security studies. "@type": "FAQPage", Email her at[emailprotected]. "@type": "Answer", The final step in strategic thinking is to create a system of continuous improvement. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies and revised Privacy Policy. If you want to see your team or function operate more strategically and are serious about strategic change, act like it. JOHN MATTONE GLOBAL, INC.
They apply those You can also find many definitions of strategic thinking on Google. You can tell by the way they respond to strategic analysis. Cultural strategic thinking is essential because it is this higher strategic thinking that enables you to process the new information and reinterpret it in a new situation. Theyre more specific than vision, and theyre what will get you from point A to point B. The second advantage is that if you try a solution and it doesnt work, you have multiple backup plans at your disposal. The basics of developing and practicing cultural strategic thinking are to (a) connect new information to the old, (b) select the appropriate strategies, and then (c) plan, monitor, and { "4.01:_What_is_Cognition" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.
b__1]()", "4.02:_What_is_Metacognition" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "4.03:_Techniques_for_Developing_Strategic_Thinking" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "4.04:_Cultural_Strategic_Thinking_Techniques" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "4.05:_Summary" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, { "00:_Front_Matter" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "01:_Culturally_Intelligent_Leadership_Matters" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "02:_Understanding_Culture" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "03:_Cultural_Intelligence_Defined" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "04:_Thinking_About_Thinking" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "05:_I_Think_I_Can_and_I_Will" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "06:_Adapting_and_Performing" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "07:_Cultural_Intelligence_in_Action" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "08:_The_Future_of_Cultural_Intelligence" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "zz:_Back_Matter" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, 4.4: Cultural Strategic Thinking Techniques, [ "article:topic", "showtoc:no", "license:ccbyncsa", "authorname:anonymous", "program:hidden", "licenseversion:30" ], https://biz.libretexts.org/@app/auth/3/login?returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fbiz.libretexts.org%2FBookshelves%2FManagement%2FLeading_with_Cultural_Intelligence%2F04%253A_Thinking_About_Thinking%2F4.04%253A_Cultural_Strategic_Thinking_Techniques, \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}}}\) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\), 4.3: Techniques for Developing Strategic Thinking, status page at https://status.libretexts.org. Cultural strategic thinking may seem overwhelming at first, but as with any new learning, you need to break your plan into smaller steps that will help you to accomplish your goals. Choose a delete action Empty this pageRemove this page and its subpages. They also have to provide coaching and feedback as needed. Note. Vision: A company wanted to groom managers who had the right skills and experience to complete unique projects the company is known for. Can you think of a story of amazing success in your life? Vision: A businessman wanted to create an organization that would help people begin new businesses. This is the type of resistance you need to overcome as a leader. A good strategy will anticipate how your opponent will move and plan your own moves well in advance. In others, the marketplace may change or we may uncover competitive intelligence where we change the goal altogether. Why is that person so clueless and frustrating? The questions arent meant to test our strategic thinking skills but to help us rethink, reflect, and realize theres always room for improvement. Janice Molloy is a content researcher with Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning. So, next time you face a challenge, consider approaching it strategically using a strategic planning tool of your choice. Observation is acquired through day-to-day activities in your life by making a conscious decision to be open and alert. Do you feel youre good at achieving the goals you set for yourself on a daily as well as a long-term basis? Anticipate possible challenges and identify ways to deal with them before they occur. Start by coming up with 1-3 strategies, each of which we will expand to include 1-3 concrete actions that can be taken tomorrow to reach the goal. While strategic thinking is a valuable skill Google Drive Makeover: Organizing Files and Folders. Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. This dichotomy between the creative versus the WebEmployee Experience boils down to this ONE THING #employeeexperience #strategicthinking Good Leadership? For some of you, the best time might be early morning. Strategic thinking is thinking about thinking. It is being conscious of your thinking processes, such as how you have gathered and organized the information and As long as you are progressing toward the overall goal, you are moving in the right direction. Remember that the purpose of the Strategy is to help you reach your vision. A strategy that is often employed in the practice of cultural strategic thinking is to create peer-learningWorking with peers to question and explore cultural interactions to resolve cultural problems. It is a critical skill in cultural intelligence because the behavior acknowledges that you have really heard what another person has said. With the pace of change continuing to rise, its no longer feasible for people to wait for orders from above. All employees must keep an eye on the future, not just react to whats happening in the present. proposes that when you change your questions in any given situation, this allows you to change your thinking. As a result, they made another fortune selling the US military helicopters. To understand cultural strategic thinking, it is Strategic Thinking (Critical Thinking) is a process of identifying ways to move a person, team, or organization toward a long-term goal. You have to think positively about a situation, and you need to be and stay positive, maintaining a positive energy and attitude throughout. Mostly we use this technique already without paying attention that we are using it. This content was accessible as of December 29, 2012, and it was downloaded then by Andy Schmitz in an effort to preserve the availability of this book. Category: Blog, Intelligent Leadership. Your ability to be a culturally intelligent leader depends on your willingness to maintain a positive attitude. Developing Strategic thinking within your firm requires a series of systemic actions that influences the culture of the firm. We may request cookies to be set on your device. ", How do you know if you are not also an expert strategic thinker? If he doesnt, I make an adjustment on the second pitch. Suppose you start paying attention to some of the statements around the word strategy in your organization or the media. The future will undoubtedly look a lot different from today. Learn more about your compensation, benefits and everything that goes into a Total Rewards package. Essential in cultural strategic thinking is your ability to conjure and be positive about your learning experiences. Tactics: The company gradually influenced its current suppliers to adopt sustainable practices. So, I must have answered the question fairly effectively. Did it happen by chance, or did you plan and take action to achieve success? WebCultural strategic thinking helps you to discard what you think you know and to apply new information concerning what the situation could be. A strategy that is often employed in the practice of cultural strategic thinking is to create peer-learning opportunities to explore cultural interactions and resolve cultural problems. Pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal cues of various situations; look around your environment and note the various symbols and artifacts. Yet, no one formally teaches strategic thinkingso it's critical to take the initiative and learn how to do it yourself. New page type Book TopicInteractive Learning Content, Textbooks for Primary Schools (English Language), Textbooks for Secondary Schools (English Language), Creative Commons-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, Culturally Intelligent Leadership Matters, The Difference between Managers and Leaders, Importance of Leadership in a Global Economy, Contemplate Your Motivation and Ability to Work with Others, Techniques for Developing Strategic Thinking, Selecting Intentional Thinking Strategies, The Role of Self-Efficacy in Cultural Intelligence, Support Others in Their Self-Efficacy Development, Reduce Anxiety and Stress Related to Cultural Interactions, Case Study: Young, Confident, and Moving too Fast. So if you get blindsided with the tell me how you are a strategic thinker question, here is a way to respond. Let your reports know that strategy is everyones responsibility and that it is critical. The good news is that there are only three that we anticipate will react this way. DonorsChoose.org helps people like you help teachers fund their classroom projects, from art supplies to books to calculators. The ability of an individual to understand, interpret, reflect on, and respond to what that individual just heard. Vision: A teen clothing brand wanted to show that the company cared about the environment just like its young customers. How did you handle the many challenges you encountered along the way? By training your mind to think at a In your review of the situation, you may need to research unfamiliar terms or gestures used, or you may need to break down the picture and rebuild it, step by step, to understand if you really understood the whole picture. Then they are encouraged to adopt success from one area to another and evaluate its impact. It is hard to understand how these different concepts relate to us. I remember going on an important job interview decades ago. In that case, you will realize that it seems to mean different things to different people. Fully understand the business on the level of your organization. Pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal cues of various situations; look around your environment and note the various symbols and artifacts. Productive global assignments. We ask both types of questions, and we choose which ones to ask in any given situation. In World War II, the company Textron made a fortune selling parachutes to the US military. Not every senior leader thinks about their strategic planning process as an opportunity to enhance their organizational culture. So, my team has already scheduled one-on-one training sessions with them before the rollout. This section of the chapter provides ideas that will help you to increase your cultural strategic thinking. Active listening focuses your mind on the speaker, and, if done repeatedly and successfully, you are able to build trust and a relationship with others. Demonstrated ability to move from strategic thinking to hands-on activities with entrepreneurial thinking. And why are strategic thinking skills so important to business success? The tactics should have an end and a beginning. I printed, How can I make $1,000 in commission this week? onto a single sheet of paper. 7.9 Case Study 9: Faith and Health Earley and PetersonEarley & Peterson (2004). It also serves as a memory of your experiences, which you can later refer back to and learn from. The Importance Of Practice And Our Reluctance To Do It, The Science Behind The Art Of Storytelling. Doing this provides you with a language for how you process cultural interactions and problems, and your peers can help you to create that language and help solve the problems. Unique system of activity 3. When I see that action, I can capitalize on it. They work together to help you reach your goals. There are many definitions of strategic thinking. The term is trendy in business circles. It doesnt matter if its just a few minutes per day; what matters is that you make it a part of your day. In order to understand the importance of this skill, lets start at the beginning. Its true that strategic thinking skills are valuable, and some people (like senior executives or policymakers) need them more than others. What exactly is strategic thinking? WebDiscussion 2 - What two specific cultural strategic thinking techniques have you observed within - Studocu University of the People Management in Global Economy Discussion 2 Recommended for you 3 Discussion unit 1 - How does an organization accurately identify the elements of its own culture? In fact, multiple new ideas for every challenge are critical to success. Todays organizations are more dispersed and less hierarchical than ever before. This type of leadership is like playing baseball and just watching the ball go by you. The best time to do strategic thinking is when youre most focused and alert. Marilee AdamsAdams (2004). Pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal cues of various situations; look around your environment and note the various symbols and artifacts. How vision, Strategy, and tactics are related? Another involves inviting dissent on your team. Resource allocation 2. WebStrategic thinking is the ability to envision, plan, and execute long-term goals and initiatives that align with your organization's vision and mission. WebPut simply, a strategic plan is the top three or four things that the board has agreed the organization has to get right in the next two or three years. It can facilitate an effective cultural interaction with less conflict, confusion, and frustration. I struggled for the first year or so. Their licenses helped make this book available to you. Observation is acquired through day-to-day activities in your life by making a conscious decision to be open and alert. Its actually a very powerful concept that can help you think through what your When I first left my secure salary job to become a commissioned salesperson, it was pretty scary. It is how youll figure out how to reach your vision. Strategic thinking is basically the practice of selecting a long-term goal and formulating an action plan toward reaching that goal. James Clear wrote a fantastic book about this subject called Atomic Habits. All Rights Reserved. In your review of the situation, you may need to research unfamiliar terms or gestures used, or you may need to break down the picture and rebuild it, step by step, to understand if you really understood the whole picture. You also have to measure your progress toward the goal. Do you sometimes feel the efforts you put in outweigh the results? Every member of your organization should know this plan and understand the expectations it creates. Strategy is a long-standing practice. Positive reinforcementis a powerful behavior-influencing tool. Cultural strategic thinking helps you to discard what you think you know and to apply new information concerning what the situation could be. Think about it as playing cultural detective: You ask your peers questions, and they clarify the information for you, and when they ask you questions, you clarify your thinking process for them. Instead, come up with many great ideas. In my experience, strategic plans are as important at a personal level as they are at an organizational level and drawing up a strategic plan is not a daunting undertaking. Basically, every time that I reached the new goal, I just increased the goal. This might include diminishing the fetishization of athletics at the service academies, for example. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. For additional information about How to Build Strong Leaders within Your Organization, click the link to that article. When you think strategically, you have to anticipate setbacks and challenges and have a plan to deal with them. However, the publisher has asked for the customary Creative Commons attribution to the original publisher, authors, title, and book URI to be removed. Cultural strategic thinking is essential because it is this higher strategic thinking that enables you to process the new information and reinterpret it in a new situation.