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THE STRATEGIC DECISION | Paul J. H. Schoemaker Mar 20, 2012
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You're the boss, but you still spend too much time on the day-to-day. Here's
how to become the strategic leader your company needs.

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• Build wide external networks to help you scan the horizon better

Think Critically
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“Conventional wisdom” opens you to fewer raised eyebrows and second guessing. But
if you swallow every management fad, herdlike belief, and safe opinion at face value,
your company loses all competitive advantage. Critical thinkers question everything.
To master this skill you must force yourself to:

• Reframe problems to get to the bottom of things, in terms of root causes

• Challenge current beliefs and mindsets, including your own
• Uncover hypocrisy, manipulation, and bias in organizational decisions
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• Seek patterns in multiple sources of data

• Encourage others to do the same
• Question prevailing assumptions and test multiple hypotheses simultaneously

Decide

Many leaders fall prey to “analysis paralysis.” You have to develop processes and
enforce them, so that you arrive at a “good enough” position. To do that well, you have
to:

• Carefully frame the decision to get to the crux of the matter

• Balance speed, rigor, quality and agility. Leave perfection to higher powers
• Take a stand even with incomplete information and amid diverse views

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Obviously, this is a daunting list of tasks, and frankly, no one is born a black belt in all More Voice. Less Mail. Streamline your communications. Learn How:
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future columns. But for now, test your own strategic aptitude (or your company's) with
the survey at www.decisionstrat.com. In the comments below, let me know what you
learned from it.

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6 Habits of True Strategic Thinkers | Inc.com Seite 3 von 4

Howard Schultz: Making Bold Moves

Read more:
How Strategic Thinkers Get It Right
9 Ways to See Change Coming
Russell Simmons: Identify What's Missing

Paul J. H. Schoemaker: Founder and Chairman, Decision Strategies Intl. Speaker,

professor, and entrepreneur. Research Director, Mack Ctr for Technological Innovation
at Wharton, where he teaches strategic decision-making. Latest book: Brilliant Mistakes

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Rose Caiazzo · May 10, 2012 at 9:51pm

This article is now staying with me for the long haul . . . I read it every 2 weeks to remind myself that I
need to continue on as a true strategic thinker. Thanks for the leadership tips!

LIKE | REPLY

Kesha Willis · May 23, 2012 at 12:48am

Great idea Rose! I think I will do the same....

LIKE | REPLY

Hubert Rampersad · May 2, 2012 at 12:25pm

Habbit#7: Dream Big http://bit.ly/A1ofK1.

LIKE | REPLY

Maci Mas · April 27, 2012 at 9:53pm

let's face it, some of us are strategic, while others sit there by the side-lines...some of just take in all
that our boses give us, while others make moves unbeknownst to their boss only come up with better
results than the everyday average outcome. This doesn't get taught, it's either in you as a leader or
not...there are shy people who are natural leaders because in the work setting they thrive, while
socially they are inept. That doesn't make them uncool...they are just different.

1 LIKES | LIKE | REPLY

Dean Williams · April 26, 2012 at 9:27pm

The fastest way to get fired is to give a C-level exec "honest feedback". They don't want to hear
honesty. They have a vision and want to see it through. I was once in an elevator and once heard a
CEO say "why can't they work 18 hours a day for US. When I'm working late I tell my wife to tell the
nanny to pick up the kids that night or our maid to make me a late dinner". He was 100% serious.

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6 Habits of True Strategic Thinkers | Inc.com Seite 4 von 4

Jay Sundaram · April 23, 2012 at 11:17am

Being strategic explained very concisely and well within the attention span to grasp. Very inspiring.
One point I would make about 'Learn'. I come across members and students who pretend to have
understood things even if they do not. Most often that they would have probably understood when said
in the language (say mother tongue) they are proficient. If one can understand complex concepts in
whichever language they are comfortable, they must go for it without any fear or bias. Good Decision
can only follow afer gaining clarity.

1 LIKES | LIKE | REPLY

· April 15, 2012 at 6:36am

I couldn't agree more as I am seeing it at my workplace everyday the importance of strategic thinkers.
It make a huge difference between one who is and the other who is not.

1 LIKES | LIKE | REPLY

Joseaphine Jones · April 15, 2012 at 2:59am

Always. E=MCsquared.

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Joseaphine Jones · April 15, 2012 at 2:58am

Yes! I get it. Now, where do we go from here? Time =Now. If I can not give to the young. We are truly
nothing.

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Chanchala Chachra · April 13, 2012 at 7:12pm

Very enlightening ... We know for sure some facts but with the required job Pressure at that
moment...we overrule certain strategies....

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Coin Laundry Florida · April 13, 2012 at 5:47pm

I do by best thinking looking at my clothes wash. http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17603405/279-NE-
79th-St-Miami-FL/

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