Strategic Thinking Training and Mentoring
Strategic Thinking Masterclasses: 6 Modules of contemporary learning … read more
Strategic Thinking Mentoring: 6 Months of 1:1 and group mentoring … read more
Strategic Thinking is not just a muscle you use once every three years, impactful leaders use it daily!
To see, understand and adapt, they need to have a well-developed strategic thinking muscle.
Some leaders believe that they ‘just can’t think this way’. Some are newer executives who
haven’t developed the strategic thinking muscle. All of them were parts of teams who could only move as fast as the slowest member.
We believe that everyone ‘can think this way’. It’s like singing. With the right training and
practice, anyone can be taught to sing. It’s the same with the strategic thinking muscle. It
takes training and practice.
We also believe we do our emerging leaders a great disservice when we promote them into
roles that demand this type of thinking, without having helped them develop this muscle.
Training this muscle is not something that happens hunched over books or in the confines of a course. That’s just a part of the muscle developing routine.
The strategic muscle fibres are built through learning ways of thinking and having access to tools and techniques. The muscle mass comes through repeated use in live situations. I have also found that this mass is built faster when done as part of a team. This is because we each bring a unique perspective that influences and accelerates individual learning. It shares our strategic thinking muscle.
But where to start? There is so much literature out there on strategy. So much to wade
through. Much of it on Strategic Planning and very little of it on how to think in the live
situation that you face today.
This is where our Strategic Thinking Training and mentoring helps.
Based on research and the book Spark Change, we have developed the Strategic Thinking
Masterclass series and mentoring programs to help leaders build the strategic thinking
muscle.
Strategic Thinking Masterclasses: 6 Modules of contemporary learning … read more
Strategic Thinking Mentoring: 6 Months of 1:1 and group mentoring … read more
Strategic Thinking Masterclasses: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential
Module 1: Reimagining Strategic Thinking
1.1 What is Strategic Thinking?
– Demystifying strategic thinking: Cutting through the jargon
– Strategic thinking vs. strategic planning: Why the distinction matters
1.2 The Power of Strategic Thinking
– Case studies from the front lines: How strategic thinking reshaped organizations
– The undeniable impact of strategic thinking on sustainability and growth
1.3 Cultivating a Strategic Mindset
– Attributes of the ultimate strategic thinker
– Developing a relentless pursuit of growth and innovation
Module 2: The Backbone of Strategic Thinking
2.1 A Historical Perspective
– The revolution of strategic thinking: Key milestones
– Strategic paradigms that transformed industries
2.2 Evidence that Demands Action
– Research-backed insights: The undeniable ROI of strategic thinking
– How strategic thinking drives real-world results
2.3 The DNA of Strategic Thinking
– Systems thinking: Seeing the forest and the trees
– Long-term vision: Playing the infinite game
– Innovation: The courage to disrupt
– Stakeholder insights: Beyond the echo chamber
Module 3: Strategic Thinking Toolbox – 25 Sparks
3.1 Sparks to navigating the Landscape
3.2 Sparks for Future-Proofing
3.3 Sparks for Innovation
3.4 Sparks for leveraging Diversity
3.5 Sparks with AI
Module 4: Developing Strategic Thinking Muscle
4.1 Personal Strategic Mastery
– Self-assessment: Measuring your strategic thinking prowess
– Crafting a personal strategic growth plan
4.2 Building Strategic Teams
– Fostering a strategic culture: Turning teams into think tanks
– Interactive exercises: Embedding strategic thinking into team dynamics
4.3 Leading with Vision
– Facilitating strategic dialogues: Techniques for meaningful conversations
– Real-world simulations: Practicing strategic leadership under pressure
Module 5: Strategic Thinking in Practice
5.1 Real-World Strategic Success
– Success stories: Transformations driven by strategic insight
– Guest impact makers: Thought leaders share their strategic journeys
5.2 Embedding Strategic Thinking in Decisions
– Everyday strategic decision-making: Practical frameworks
– Sharpening your strategic reflexes
5.3 Assessing Strategic Thinking Impact
– Metrics that matter: Evaluating strategic thinking effectiveness
– Continuous evolution: Staying ahead of the curve
Module 6: The Future of Strategic Thinking
6.1 Embracing Innovation
– Digital transformation: AI and beyond
– Future-proofing: Anticipating and adapting to seismic shifts
6.2 Navigating VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity)
– Strategies for thriving in chaos
– Building organisational resilience and agility
6.3 Lifelong Strategic Learning
– Essential resources for ongoing development
– Crafting a personal and organizational learning agenda
Module 7: Course Wrap-Up and Assessment
7.1 Final Challenge: Your Strategic Blueprint
– Participants will deploy a number of Strategic Thinking tools and Sparks, to address a given case study
7.2 Course Debrief and Reflection
– Synthesising key insights
– Participant feedback: Shaping the next iteration
Delivery Methods
– Dynamic Lectures and Interactive Sessions: Engaging content delivery with practical insights
– Hands-On Workshops: Real-world application and skill honing
– Case Studies and Guest Speakers: Learning from the vanguards of strategic thinking
– Collaborative Discussions and Role-Playing: Enhancing team-based strategic thinking
This course is designed to push boundaries, challenge conventional thinking, and empower leaders to become visionary strategists. It’s about creating real impact and leading with purpose in an ever-evolving world.
Strategic Thinking Mentoring: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential
Program Features
- Customised 1:1 Mentoring Sessions:
You will receive personalised mentoring sessions tailored to your specific needs and goals. These sessions are about setting individual goals and addressing individual challenges and aspirations with targeted guidance and support.
- Dynamic Group Workshops:
You will also engage in dynamic group workshops. These sessions build on the collaborative dimensions of strategic thinking, enabling you to share experiences, brainstorm solutions, and learn from one another.
- Expert-Led Discussions:
The mentoring program features expert-led discussions on cutting-edge topics in strategic thinking. These discussions offer you the opportunity to gain insights into emerging trends and practices.
- Practical Exercises and Real-World Applications:
The mentoring program includes practical exercises that translate theory into actionable strategies. You will apply these strategic thinking tools to real-world scenarios in your workplace enhancing your strategic thinking muscle.
- Resource-Rich Learning Materials:
You will receive access to a wealth of learning materials, including exclusive content from George Liacos’s book, relevant articles, case studies, and practical tools. These resources really do support your continuous learning and development throughout the program.
- Peer Support and Networking:
The program fosters a supportive community of like-minded leaders. You will be introduced to other active participants and sector leaders which will build valuable connections of strategic thinkers who can offer support and collaboration beyond the program.
Program Benefits
- Enhanced Strategic Thinking Skills:
You will develop strategic thinking skills, enabling you to analyse complex situations, anticipate challenges, and create innovative solutions. These skills are essential for leading organisations towards long-term impact and sustainability.
- Personalised Growth and Development:
Customised mentoring sessions ensure that you receive guidance tailored to your unique needs and goals. This personalised approach accelerates your professional growth and equips you with the tools to achieve your strategic goals.
- Collaborative Learning and Innovation:
Group sessions foster a collaborative learning environment where you can share insights and ideas. This collective intelligence drives innovation, helping you to develop more robust and creative strategies.
- Access to Industry Expertise:
Expert-led discussions provide you with access to the latest trends and best practices in strategic thinking. Learning from industry leaders enhances your knowledge and prepares you to face the evolving landscape.
- Practical Application and Real-World Impact:
Practical exercises and real-world applications ensure that you can translate theoretical knowledge into actionable strategies. This hands-on approach is great for your conmfidence and effectiveness in strategic thinking.
- Resource Access and Continuous Learning:
Access to a rich array of learning materials supports your strategic thinking muscle development. You can delve deeper into strategic thinking concepts and stay updated with the latest insights, ensuring your skills remain relevant and cutting-edge.
- Building a Strategic Network:
The program creates a network of strategic thinkers who can offer support, collaboration, and opportunities. This is an invaluable resource for your ongoing professional development.
- Leadership Development:
By honing your strategic thinking skills, you will enhance your leadership capabilities. You will become more adept at guiding your organisations through strategic challenges, at making more informed decisions, and in inspiring teams to achieve strategic goals.
The Strategic Thinking Mentoring Program is designed to transform leaders into visionary strategists. Over six months, you will gain the skills, knowledge, and support needed to lead with confidence and drive meaningful change within their organizations. With a blend of personalised mentoring and collaborative learning, this mentoring program equips you to think strategically, act decisively, and achieve sustainable success.
Ignite your Success with Spark!
Book an appointment with us today
Strategic Thinking Masterclasses: Unleashing Your Leadership Potential
To define the strategy elements listed above, organisations undertake strategic planning. Essentially, strategic planning is the process of reviewing why an organisation exists and determining key focus areas for the years ahead. This demonstrates the importance of strategic planning, with more detail provided below.
Strategy development is the responsibility of an organisation’s leadership, typically its executive team and board. However, effective strategic planning generally involves a broader range of stakeholders, such as staff, customers or clients, beneficiaries, partners, suppliers, funders, policy-makers and potentially even competitors.
There are different approaches to and types of strategic planning, and it comes in all different shapes and sizes. Strategy development includes everything from a one day workshop through to a largescale project that lasts for many months. Regardless, in general, strategic planning involves a combination of desk-based work (e.g. research and analysis) and stakeholder engagement (e.g. 1:1 conversations, small group discussions, meetings and workshops).