An accessible introduction to what strategy is.
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.
It all starts with setting your destination. In navigation, this means deciding where you want to go. In strategic thinking, it means setting a clear and specific long-term goal that you want to achieve.
Once you know where you want to go, you need to chart a course to get there. In navigation, this means plotting a route from your current location to your destination. In strategic thinking, it means creating a plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goal.
When navigating, you need to take into account conditions such as the wind, waves, currents, and weather that may affect your journey. Similarly, in strategic thinking, you need to consider the resources, constraints, and uncertainties that may arise during the execution of your plan. These could include factors such as budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and competition from other organisations.
During a journey, conditions can change, and you may need to adjust your course to stay on track. Similarly, in strategic thinking, you need to be prepared to make course corrections if your plan encounters unexpected obstacles or if circumstances change. This requires flexibility and adaptability.
When navigating, it's essential to monitor your progress to ensure you are on track to reach your destination. In strategic thinking, you need to monitor your progress towards your long-term goal to ensure that you are making progress and achieving milestones along the way.
Use Strategic Thinking 101 to introduce what strategy is and why people find it hard. A navigation analogy makes the process tangible, and naming the usual obstacles, from lack of time to a bias towards firefighting, gives people permission to think longer term.
Using this tool with a skilled facilitator means that discussions are focused, time is used efficiently, and the group moves toward consensus, making the session productive and impactful.
