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Management

Strategic thinking – what’s that and how to develop it?

What is Strategic thining? Have you wondered how to develop it?

Strategic thinking is the process of analyzing a complex situation, identifying potential challenges and opportunities, and developing a long-term plan of action that aligns with your overall goals and objectives. It involves thinking critically, creatively, and holistically to identify the best course of action to achieve your desired outcome.

Leading with strategic thinking

To develop strategic thinking skills, here are some steps you can take:

  1. Define your goals and objectives: You need to know where you want to go before you can develop a strategy to get there. Be specific and clear about your goals.
  2. Gather information: Collect information about your industry, market trends, competitors, and any other relevant data that will help you make informed decisions.
  3. Analyze the information: Analyze the data you have collected to identify trends, patterns, and potential challenges.
  4. Identify potential solutions: Use your analysis to identify potential solutions and strategies that will help you achieve your goals.
  5. Evaluate the pros and cons: Evaluate the pros and cons of each potential solution to determine which one is the most effective and efficient.
  6. Develop a plan of action: Develop a detailed plan of action that outlines the steps you will take to implement your chosen solution.
  7. Monitor and adjust: Regularly monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed to ensure that you stay on track and achieve your goals.

In addition to these steps, there are other things you can do to develop strategic thinking skills, such as:

  • Reading books and articles on strategy and business management
  • Participating in strategic planning workshops or courses
  • Seeking feedback from others on your strategic thinking abilities
  • Practicing strategic thinking through role-playing exercises or simulation games
  • Surrounding yourself with people who have strong strategic thinking skills, and learning from them.

By practicing these steps and continuously seeking to improve your skills, you can become a more effective strategic thinker and achieve greater success in your personal and professional life.

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Categories
Management

Leadership skills: Development & Measurement

How to develop and measure Leadership skills? 

Leadership is about people.

Developing leadership skills is an ongoing process that involves a combination of self-reflection, education, practice, and feedback. Here are some tips on how to develop the skills effectively:

  1. Self-reflection: Start by reflecting on your own values, strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style. Consider taking a personality assessment, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, to gain a better understanding of your personality type and how it affects your style.
  2. Education: Read books, attend seminars, and take courses on leadership to gain knowledge and insights into its effective practices. Some recommended books include “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek, and “The Leadership Challenge” by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.
  3. Practice: Seek out opportunities to practice your skills, such as volunteering for leadership roles in your community, taking on a role at work, or starting a project on your own.
  4. Feedback: Ask for feedback from others, both positive and negative, on your leadership skills. Consider seeking feedback from mentors, colleagues, and those you lead.

Measuring leadership skills can be challenging, as it involves assessing intangible qualities such as communication, empathy, and vision. However, there are some ways to measure the skills:

  1. Surveys: Conduct surveys among team members to gauge their perceptions of your skills. This can help identify areas for improvement.
  2. 360-degree feedback: This involves gathering feedback from multiple sources, including peers, superiors, subordinates, and even clients, to get a comprehensive view of your leadership skills.
  3. Performance metrics: Look at key performance metrics, such as employee retention rates, customer satisfaction scores, and revenue growth, to assess the effectiveness of your skills.

Ultimately, developing and measuring leadership skills requires a commitment to ongoing learning and growth, as well as a willingness to seek feedback and make changes as needed.

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