CULTIVATE BIG-PICTURE THINKING

 Cultivate Big-Picture Thinking.

Big-picture thinking can benefit any person in any profession.. When two parents are fed up with potty training, poor grades, or fender-benders, and one reminds the other that the current difficult time is only a temporary season, then they benefit from thinking big picture. "Where success is concerned, people are not measured in inches, or pounds, or college degrees, or family background; they are measured by the size of their thinking.” —DAVID SCHWARTZ 

Big-picture thinkers are never satisfied with what they already know. They are always visiting new places, reading new books, meeting new people, learning new skills. And because of that practice, they often are able to connect the unconnected. They are lifelong learners. 

To help me maintain a learner’s attitude, I spend a few moments every morning thinking about my learning opportunities for the day. As I review my calendar and to-do list—knowing whom I will meet that day, what I will read, which meetings I will attend—I note where I am most likely to learn something. 

Then I mentally cue myself to look attentively for something that will improve me in that situation. If you desire to keep learning, I want to encourage you to examine your day and look for opportunities to learn. 

You can find many big-picture thinkers who aren’t leaders, but you will find few leaders who are not big picture thinkers. Leaders must be able to do many important things for their people: 

• See the vision before their people do.They also see more of it. This allows them to… 

• Size up situations, taking into account many variables. Leaders who see the big picture discern possibilities as well as problems to form a foundation to build the vision. Once leaders have done that, they can… 

• Sketch a picture of where the team is going, including any potential challenges or obstacles. The goal of leaders shouldn’t be merely to make their people feel good, but to help them be good and accomplish the dream. The vision, shown accurately, will allow leaders to… 

• Show how the future connects with the past to make the journey more meaningful. When leaders recognize this need for connection and bridge it, then they can… 

• Seize the moment when the timing is right. In leadership, when to move is as important as what you do. As Winston Churchill said, “There comes a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for which that person was born.… When he seizes it… it is his finest hour.” 

UTILIZE STRATEGIC THINKING

 Utilize Strategic Thinking.

Strategic Thinking Prompts You to Ask the Right Questions.

When you hear the words “strategic thinking,” what comes to mind? Do visions of business plans dance in your head? Do you conjure up marketing plans, the kind that can turn a company around? Perhaps you contemplate global politics. Perhaps, but strategy doesn’t have to be restricted to military action or even to business. Strategic thinking can make a positive impact on any area of life. 

Do you want to break down complex or difficult issues? Then ask questions. Strategic thinking forces you through this process. Take a look at the following questions developed by  my mentor Bobb Biehl, the author of Master planning.  

Direction: What should we do next? Why? 

Organization: Who is responsible for what? Who is responsible for whom? Do we have the right people in the right places? 

Cash: What is our projected income, expense, net? Can we afford it? How can we afford it? 

Nun: Are we on target? 

Overall Evaluation: Are we achieving the quality we expect and demand of ourselves? 

Refinement: How can we be more effective and more efficient (move toward the ideal)? These may not be the only questions you need to ask to begin formulating a strategic plan, but they are certainly a good start.