strategic thinking

Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking can be explained as a process of thinking where someone uses their strength to limit the influence of their weaknesses, to exploit an opportunity and succeed. Strategic thinking involves coming up with an innovative strategy and executing it. To be a strategic thinker one must be able to think outside the box and be innovative (Mitzberg,1994).One should look at all possible scenarios before settling on one that is most favorable and that will maximize on one’s talents and limit the impact of weaknesses. Strategic thinking involves appreciating your strengths and knowing your weaknesses

Strategic thinking is something I have applied a couple of times in my lifetime but there is this one striking case. I was attending a youth camp with couple of friends. Like most teenage boys hanging out with the prettiest girl is the ultimate wildest dream. It didn’t take me long to know who the cutest girl at the youth camp was. We had just come in standing at the reception desk waiting to check into to our rooms when a wonderful perfume scent wafted into my nostrils. When I saw her, I thought she was stunning; oily black hair, long fingers, and well-manicured nails.

I stretched my hand for a handshake, she ignored it but she smiled at my friend Tim.That shook me; I knew I couldn’t stand a chance with Tim as my rival. I had to think fast and come up with a plan but I wasn’t sure if Tim was interested beyond the usual friendship that was developing between them and to my consternation he was. My biggest weakness is that I am not blessed with height and good looks as Tim but I had something else he didn’t have. I am a great dancer, a superb communicator and debater. I had to wait for a perfect chance to show her what I got.

We had a discussion after supper on the role students in national politics. Needless to say, politics has always been my other interests besides beautiful girls. I was the best in that discussion in terms of the depth and insight of my arguments. Many girls came up to me after, took my number asked for name but my target didn’t. I was willing to wait as long as it took. I knew the right time would come and it did.

The next day at the swimming pool I made sure I came first in every duel but an opportunity presented itself in a way I couldn’t have imagined. The girl I had been dreaming about almost drowned at the deep end of the swimming pool. Of course, I was the first one to dive in and rescue her before the teacher could take the plunge. It took her a while to get back together but the following day when we were about to leave she came to me and as you might expect everything worked out so perfectly.

Reference

Mintzberg, H. (1994). The rise and Fall of Strategic Planning. New York: Free Press