One of the main obstacles to Strategic Thinking is the tendency to pre-judge new situations according to previous experience or unfounded expectations.
This is a common problem in the corporate world, where executives are faced with constant pressure to make important decisions “on the run”, unable to provide time, space and strategy that would make a big difference in their decision making process.
Pre-judgment can be likened to driving a car forward while facing backward!
In this analogy, the driver is like the mind. The driver needs to scout the territory, step on the breaks when necessary, discover open roads, speed up, focus, navigate and ultimately get the car to its final destination in the best possible way. Imagine the chaos if the driver faces backwards while driving the car forward - that is the effect pre-judgement has on the mind.
Learn not to judge:
1. Refuse to use previous experience as your main guideline for the present.
2. View each situation as if you have never seen it before.
3. Increase your scope and coverage by asking open ended questions.
So you can learn to judge correctly:
1. Consider all available options without bias.
2. Determine the pros and cons of each option.
3. Select the best fitting option according to:
a. Added value process
b. Timing
c. Projection
d. Criteria
Strategic thinking is best achieved by developing a state of mind that is able to stay ahead of the future. This mind-set requires training and ongoing maintenance. There are no quick fixes in strategic thinking, however, achieving this skill creates immense added value in being able to effectively handle the future changes that now onset at full speed.
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