{"id":2738,"date":"2013-04-01T17:10:36","date_gmt":"2013-04-01T09:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elijahconsulting.com\/?page_id=2738"},"modified":"2016-11-15T15:32:55","modified_gmt":"2016-11-15T07:32:55","slug":"thinking-strategically-how-about-just-thinking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/elijahconsulting.com\/thinking-strategically-how-about-just-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking Strategically? How about just THINKING? 01 Apr 2013."},"content":{"rendered":"

Download the pdf<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Chess\"<\/a>In many ways, people seem to think of strategy and execution as two very different things. \u201cStrategy\u201d seems to conjure up an impression of castles in the air, ivory towers and those sorts of things. \u201cExecution\u201d seems to have more sympathy with the majority, who seem to think of themselves as those who \u201cMake Things Happen\u201d, and without whom those giving strategic direction could not possibly function, let alone thrive. Generally, people seem to prefer clear-cut boundaries, \u201cThis or that\u201d, \u201cUs or Them\u201d, \u201cNow or later\u201d sorts of thinking. Dealing with continuums and flexible courses of action based on the Unknown is, surprisingly, quite unthinkable to most. Perhaps that is understandable, for thinking is one of the hardest of tasks, is it not? Think of all the times you have heard someone say things like \u201cI prefer it like this, no need to think\u2026\u201d Perhaps you have that line of thinking yourself!<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking \u201cstrategically\u201d, or perhaps just simply thinking, isn\u2019t the province of the anointed few whose business cards include the words \u201cBoard\u201d or \u201cExecutive\u201d or \u201cChief\u201d. If you serve customers at a McDonald’s restaurant, thinking strategically could go beyond the \u201cHow about some fries to go with your drink?\u201d that you\u2019d been trained to do. It could very well be discerning that a weary mother of three young children would simply like to sit down in a cool place for a while, hopefully with something to keep the kids occupied at the same time. What could you offer her to meet that need? How about if you sell real estate? Thinking strategically in this case could be recommending a wedding planner, interior designer, renovation contractor, geriatric care specialist, doula, or any number of a host of related trades that you don\u2019t need, but which your clients might. Of course, you would want to ensure that the people you recommend who ply those trades be dependable, trustworthy and deliver sterling service. Have you done that before? What if you happen to be a Learning and Development Co-ordinator and your Boss has asked you to put a team-building workshop together? Thinking strategically would cause you to ask for your Boss\u2019 intentions, and, if possible, what the intentions of your Boss\u2019 bosses are. Once you have that direction, quickly put together a few options, all of which will fully support the Boss\u2019 intentions, and put forth your recommendation, with all YOUR reasons why. Needless to say, or perhaps it IS needful, the reasons for your recommendation ought to be in the best interests of your Boss, or the company, whichever is higher up the ladder.<\/span><\/p>\n

I would like to share four aspects of being that I think are important in order for anyone to be able to start thinking strategically, or perhaps to start thinking at all! They are:<\/span><\/p>\n