Strategic Thinking in Uncertain Times
By Laura Villacrusis, Partner, Kwela Leadership
The following is an excerpt. For the full article, click here.
Our world is more unpredictable than ever. A pandemic, climate disaster, or even political upheaval can disrupt everything in an instant. On a more gradual scale, shifts in societal values, changing demographics, and evolving workplace dynamics are all forces we must contend with.
While change is nothing new, the speed at which it occurs today is unprecedented. The flow of information—both accurate and misleading—is relentless, and it’s clear that this pace isn’t going to slow down any time soon.
Strategic thinking isn’t just about drafting a plan; it’s about developing a core leadership competency that helps us navigate the unknown. Whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, or influencing decisions in your role, cultivating this skill empowers you to respond with agility and intentionality.
Strategic thinking is a muscle that, when developed, becomes second nature. It helps us make better choices, day in and day out, no matter what comes our way. By building this muscle, leaders at all levels can approach decisions with a long-term perspective, even when the future is uncertain.
There are six core skills and approaches in strategic planning that are not only helpful for developing a formal strategy but also indispensable when facing everyday challenges:
Time Management
In a world full of distractions and urgent demands, the ability to prioritize effectively is critical. Leaders at all levels must manage their time with intention, ensuring that they focus on long-term goals while handling daily tasks. Strong time management ensures we stay grounded and progress toward what matters most, even when uncertainty looms.
Systems Thinking
Systems thinking allows us to see the broader landscape, helping us understand how different parts of a system are interconnected. By recognizing these connections, we are better equipped to anticipate how changes in one area might impact others. Whether it’s about managing a team, overseeing a project, or handling individual responsibilities, this holistic perspective helps us make more informed, adaptive decisions, even when faced with shifting circumstances.
Environmental Scanning
By staying informed about what’s happening outside our immediate circle—whether in the economy, industry, or society—we can anticipate shifts and adjust our strategies proactively. Environmental scanning helps leaders at every level stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions that contribute to their teams’ success.
Assessing Current Reality
To move forward strategically, we must first understand where we stand. Assessing our current reality involves evaluating internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Whether you’re leading a small project, a team, or a department, understanding your current situation is crucial in making decisions about how to move forward. This step is essential in uncertain times, as it helps us make informed decisions and avoid potential blind spots.
Determining a Desired Future State or Vision
Leaders who can articulate a compelling vision help teams stay motivated, focused, and aligned. Whether leading a project or influencing a team’s goals, a strong vision serves as a guide, helping us navigate change and stay focused on what we want to achieve, even when uncertainty is high.
Identifying Strategic Priorities
In the midst of constant change, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with numerous opportunities and challenges. By narrowing our focus and aligning efforts with what truly matters, we ensure that our team or project is directing energy toward the most critical objectives. This clarity is essential, especially when faced with uncertainty.
By integrating strategic thinking into our daily practices, we equip ourselves to handle long-term and everyday challenges with greater adaptability. These skills provide the clarity and focus needed to move forward with purpose.
In these times when change is the only constant, leaders who can think strategically will be the ones who thrive. They will have the foresight to prepare for the future, the agility to adapt in the moment, and the wisdom to lead their teams toward success—especially with the uncertainty that lies ahead.
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Laura Villacrusis has over 25 years of experience working with organizations to support individual and organizational performance. Laura has a Master of Science in Organization Development (Pepperdine University, California), a Bachelor of Science in Economics (University of the Philippines), is a Certified Organizational Coach (University of British Columbia), and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF. Her passion is in helping organizations create leadership development and OD strategies and facilitating learning sessions for leaders. She has worked in various industries including entertainment, health care, technology, finance, utilities, mining, and manufacturing.
Learn to make better decisions with Laura at her upcoming online seminar on Being Strategic.
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