Strategic in a Nutshell
People with Strategic see patterns and imagine alternatives. They can spot the key path forward through complexity. They think in "If this, then that" scenarios.
People with high Strategic are systems thinkers. They see how pieces connect. They anticipate consequences. They imagine multiple future paths and choose the one most likely to succeed. They're not reactive; they're thinking ahead.
At their best, people with high Strategic chart clear paths forward through complexity. They see which moves matter most. They guide teams toward effective outcomes. They make the complex navigable.
Your Key Contributions
- Finding the best path: Your ability to sort through options quickly helps the team find the fastest path through complexity
- Thinking several moves ahead: You think several moves ahead, spotting obstacles before the team hits them
- Narrowing options: You narrow too many possible answers down to the two or three that actually matter
Watch Out For
- Being so focused on strategy that you lose immediate action
- Difficulty explaining your strategic thinking to others
- Appearing detached or not engaged in current work
- Changing strategy when new information emerges
The 2 Sides of Strategic
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What Energises You
- Seeing the pattern in complex situations
- Imagining multiple possible futures and choosing the best path
- Thinking through scenarios and consequences
- Working with strategic, forward-thinking colleagues
- Finding the elegant solution to a complex problem
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What Drains You
- Purely tactical work without strategic thinking
- People who don't see the bigger picture
- Short-term thinking that ignores long-term consequences
- Chaotic environments without strategy
- Being forced to follow ineffective plans because "that's the direction"
How Others See You
How to Invest in Strategic for Work
If You're high in Strategic
- Share your strategic thinking so others understand your path.
- Pair with Achiever or Discipline to execute your strategy.
- Use your foresight to help teams understand where they're heading.
- Know that strategy is only good when executed.
Managing Someone Who Leads with Strategic
- Let them think strategically about direction and plans.
- Ask them to chart paths forward through complexity.
- Use them to anticipate scenarios and prepare.
- Support their strategic thinking with execution.
Connecting with Someone who Leads with Strategic
- Ask them what they see ahead.
- Engage with their strategic thinking.
- Don't dismiss their pattern-seeing as overthinking.
- Help them communicate strategy clearly.