Strategy

Strategy

Strategic Thinking Toolkit

Toolkit

Sharpen how you think.

A set of thinking tools that help you break down problems, weigh the long view and read what is changing.

Format

Digital download, instant access

DESIGNED FOR

Individual leaders and managers building sharper judgement

Strategy · Toolkit
£ 95 

One-off. Choose the toolkit on its own, or add a coaching call with James.

Buy now

Yours to keep, organisation-wide

QUICK SUMMARY

In a nutshell.

INCLUDES
  • An accessible primer on what strategic thinking is
  • Tools to break problems down and reframe them
  • Perspective and wide-angle tools to think bigger
  • A scenarios method for holding several futures at once
  • Worked examples and guidance on when to use each one
OUTCOMES
  • A sharper read of what is changing around you
  • The habit of weighing the long view before you commit
  • A clearer, more considered point of view in the room
DEEP DIVE

The process, step by step.

Each tool has a specific job and a specific place in the running order. Run them like this and the outcome takes care of itself.

CLICK EACH ITEM TO READ MORE
Strategic Thinking 101
An accessible introduction to what strategy is.
30 minutes

Explainer

This introduction to strategic thinking helps participants understand what strategy is, and why it can be a tricky topic for some. We use an analogy to help participants understand the process of strategic thinking. We also acknowledge the difficulties of strategic thinking: lack of time, discomfort with the unknown, a bias towards immediate problems and firefighting.
Read more about this tool →
First Principles
Break down problems into their most basic elements.
30 minutes

Canvas

Break down complex problems into their most basic elements to understand fundamental truths and build innovative solutions from the ground up.
Read more about this tool →
Beginner's Mind
Approach the problem as if it were day one.
30 minutes

Exercise

We can sometimes be weighed down by the "curse of knowledge", believing we know everything about a role or problem. Instead, tap into the beginner's mindset by imagining today is your first day in your current role. How would the new you approach things differently?
Read more about this tool →
Shifting the Frame
Examine a challenge through several different lenses.
20 minutes

Exercise

<p>A structured perspective-taking exercise where participants examine a real challenge or opportunity through several different lenses to surface thinking they wouldn't reach through normal analysis.</p>
Read more about this tool →
Perspectives
Look at the challenge through other eyes.
30 minutes

Scenario

Looking at a problem from different angles or vantage points can change how it is perceived and interpreted. This might mean taking on a different persona, or changing your thinking style slightly. We can use an "Empathy Mapping" template and a "Personality Swap" worksheet to help with this.
Read more about this tool →
Zooming Out
Take the wide-angle view to think bigger.
30 minutes

Exercise

Sometimes we can miss things that are happening around us, because we are too focused on our own actions and activities. By zooming out, we can take a wide-angle, helicopter view to consider the context and industry we operate in.
Read more about this tool →
Question the Brief
Probe the problem before rushing to solve it.
30 minutes

Exercise

Before jumping in to try to solve a problem, it's important to probe it first. We look at the context (Where did it come from, What are the surrounding factors) and the motivation (Who wants this? Why? Why now?) before moving on to ideation.
Read more about this tool →
The Long View
How to protect longer-term thinking.
20 minutes

Discussion

<p>Facilitated conversation on how participants currently maintain their longer-term perspective alongside day-to-day pressures, and what would help them look further ahead more consistently.</p>
Read more about this tool →
Reading the Horizon
Foresight as a leadership practice.
20 minutes

Explainer

<p>A short input on what foresight means as a leadership practice, why most leaders systematically underinvest in looking ahead, and what a practical approach to it involves.</p>
Read more about this tool →
Thinking in Scenarios
Explore multiple futures instead of betting on one prediction.
30 minutes

Explainer

<p>A structured introduction to scenario thinking, giving participants a method for exploring multiple possible futures rather than relying on a single prediction.</p>
Read more about this tool →
DEEP DIVE

The agenda, step by step.

The session is made up of a series of explainers, scenarios and tools. Read more below to get a clear picture of what to expect.

CLICK EACH ITEM TO READ MORE
Strategic Thinking 101
An accessible introduction to what strategy is.
30 minutes

Explainer

This introduction to strategic thinking helps participants understand what strategy is, and why it can be a tricky topic for some. We use an analogy to help participants understand the process of strategic thinking. We also acknowledge the difficulties of strategic thinking: lack of time, discomfort with the unknown, a bias towards immediate problems and firefighting.
Read more about this tool →
First Principles
Break down problems into their most basic elements.
30 minutes

Canvas

Break down complex problems into their most basic elements to understand fundamental truths and build innovative solutions from the ground up.
Read more about this tool →
Beginner's Mind
Approach the problem as if it were day one.
30 minutes

Exercise

We can sometimes be weighed down by the "curse of knowledge", believing we know everything about a role or problem. Instead, tap into the beginner's mindset by imagining today is your first day in your current role. How would the new you approach things differently?
Read more about this tool →
Shifting the Frame
Examine a challenge through several different lenses.
20 minutes

Exercise

<p>A structured perspective-taking exercise where participants examine a real challenge or opportunity through several different lenses to surface thinking they wouldn't reach through normal analysis.</p>
Read more about this tool →
Perspectives
Look at the challenge through other eyes.
30 minutes

Scenario

Looking at a problem from different angles or vantage points can change how it is perceived and interpreted. This might mean taking on a different persona, or changing your thinking style slightly. We can use an "Empathy Mapping" template and a "Personality Swap" worksheet to help with this.
Read more about this tool →
Zooming Out
Take the wide-angle view to think bigger.
30 minutes

Exercise

Sometimes we can miss things that are happening around us, because we are too focused on our own actions and activities. By zooming out, we can take a wide-angle, helicopter view to consider the context and industry we operate in.
Read more about this tool →
Question the Brief
Probe the problem before rushing to solve it.
30 minutes

Exercise

Before jumping in to try to solve a problem, it's important to probe it first. We look at the context (Where did it come from, What are the surrounding factors) and the motivation (Who wants this? Why? Why now?) before moving on to ideation.
Read more about this tool →
The Long View
How to protect longer-term thinking.
20 minutes

Discussion

<p>Facilitated conversation on how participants currently maintain their longer-term perspective alongside day-to-day pressures, and what would help them look further ahead more consistently.</p>
Read more about this tool →
Reading the Horizon
Foresight as a leadership practice.
20 minutes

Explainer

<p>A short input on what foresight means as a leadership practice, why most leaders systematically underinvest in looking ahead, and what a practical approach to it involves.</p>
Read more about this tool →
Thinking in Scenarios
Explore multiple futures instead of betting on one prediction.
30 minutes

Explainer

<p>A structured introduction to scenario thinking, giving participants a method for exploring multiple possible futures rather than relying on a single prediction.</p>
Read more about this tool →
What you leave with

Three things you walk away with.

Strategic thinking is a habit you can build. This toolkit gives you practical thinking tools to break a problem to first principles, look at it through fresh lenses, hold more than one future in mind and scan the horizon for what is coming.

Sharper judgement

A sharper read of what is changing around you

The long view

The habit of weighing the long view before you commit

A clearer view

A clearer, more considered point of view in the room

How it works

From booking to the room.

one

Book your seat

Choose a date and book online. You get instant confirmation, and an invoice if you need one.

two

Get your details

We send joining instructions, the location or link, and anything to prepare beforehand.

three

Come along

Join a small cohort of peers from other organisations for the session.

four

Take it back

Leave with practical tools and a clear next step to put to work with your own team.

How it works

From purchase to running it.

one

Buy the kit

A one-off purchase, with instant access to every file and a licence for your whole organisation.

two

Download everything

Get the full toolkit as a single download: guides, tools, workbook and slides.

three

Make it yours

Read the facilitator's guide and tailor the deck and materials to your team.

four

Run it

Use the kit as designed and lead your team through the process from start to finish.

In the kit

Everything you need, from start to finish.

The kit is built to be opened and used. No theory to interpret, no convoluted instructions or setup. Everything is ready.

Facilitator's playbook

A step-by-step running order with timings and prompts, so you can run the session with confidence.

Editable slide deck

A brandable deck in PowerPoint and Keynote to run the session your way.

Printable workbooks and canvases

Every tool as a print-ready worksheet or canvas, for the room or a whiteboard.

Coaching call with James

An optional 30-minute call to plan your session and get the most from the kit.

In the SESSION

Time well spent, from start to finish.

I've been delivering open workshops for years. They're different beasts to in-person sessions, and I use a considered mix of technology and facilitation techniques to make them effective and engaging experiences. Here's what you can expect when you attend this one.

Placeholder illustration

Facilitator's playbook

A step-by-step running order with timings and prompts, so you can run the session with confidence.

Editable slide deck

A brandable deck in PowerPoint and Keynote to run the session your way.

Printable workbooks and canvases

Every tool as a print-ready worksheet or canvas, for the room or a whiteboard.

Coaching call with James

An optional 30-minute call to plan your session and get the most from the kit.

Is it right for you?

An honest read on fit.

A good fit if
  • You want to think more strategically as an individual
  • You want practical prompts you can use on real problems
  • You want to build the habit over time
  • You bring thinking to a team and want a clearer view
Probably not for you if
  • You want a team facilitation pack, where the Strategy Day Toolkit is the better fit
  • You want ideation tools, where the Creative Problem-Solving Toolkit is the better fit
  • You want theory rather than practical prompts
  • You are not ready to change how you approach problems

Common questions.

What's included in the toolkit?

Every tool in the kit, a facilitator playbook with a running order and timings, an editable slide deck, printable workbooks and canvases, and worked examples. Everything you need to run it yourself.

How is it delivered?

It is a digital download. The moment you buy, you get instant access to download everything, yours to keep.

Do I need facilitation experience to run it?

No. Every tool comes with step-by-step facilitator notes and timings, so you can run it with confidence even if you have never facilitated before.

Can I run it with my whole team or organisation?

Yes. Your licence is organisation-wide, so you can use it with any team, as many times as you like.

Can I edit and brand the materials?

Yes. The slides and worksheets are editable, so you can brand them and adapt them to your own context.

Can I get help running it?

Yes. You can add a coaching call with James to plan your session, or bring him in to facilitate it for you.

Need a hand?

Talk to James first.

If you are not sure whether this is right for your team, a short call is the fastest way to find out. No pressure, no pitch.