What are the top ways to find career satisfaction in a role requiring strategic thinking?

In my view followings are the top ways to have career satisfaction in a role requiring strategic thinking; 1. Understand the vision and the mission of the organization. 2. Align yourself and your thinking to achieve the Vision and Mission of the Organization. 3. Make a road map to achieve the goals. 4. Frequently review your strategies vis a vis the goals you have set. 5. Continuously learn new things and upgrade your skills in your areas of work. Job satisfaction is nothing but the result of recognition of your efforts both in monetary terms and in your career progression. To get recognitions of your efforts, you need to updates your skills and your strategies should be aligned with the vision and mission of the organization.

This is something I truly believe most people skip past or don’t value as a worthy exercise. Compromising your personal values and strengths will almost always leave you operating at less than your optimum professionally. The real key here is to purposefully and strategically learn about yourself, define your personal values and understand your strengths. Again, something that sounds far easier than it is sometimes. This will set your compass and align you with your companies values and objectives far clearer.

Balancing SMART goals is tricky. Relying on numbers can overlook vital unmeasurable aspects, like our mental health at work. Metrics can be subjective, leading to mixed interpretations. Hitting numerical targets may look good, but it might not align with the big picture and overall happiness. Long-term impacts often get sidelined in the rush for quick wins. In creative fields, sticking strictly to numbers can stifle out-of-the-box ideas. Innovation doesn't always fit into measurable boxes. While SMART goals have perks, we need room for intuition, randomness, and the awesome surprises that come with them.

When you think strategically about your career, you recognise that the relationships that can support your career goals may not be the most obvious ones. For example, an employee might find the relationship with his or her boss challenging to manage. Consistency in maintaining great performance despite this could catch the attention of other managers within the organisation who recognise their potential and would be willing to recommend them for good opportunities. This however requires the professional to look beyond the moment and focus on desired outcomes.

While strategic thinking roles are rewarding, they can also lead to burnout if personal needs are neglected. Instead of strict boundaries, consider an integrated approach. Work-life balance might be a myth; instead, focus on integrating work and life. Prioritize health, set flexible boundaries, and pursue passions. Strategic thinking helps manage time and align decisions with goals and values. Integration fosters holistic well-being and lasting satisfaction.