Strategic thinking is a crucial skill for senior executives who need to make sound decisions, anticipate challenges, and create a vision for the future. But how can you assess the strategic thinking skills of your potential or current leaders? Here are some tips and tools to help you evaluate and develop this critical competency.
Before you can assess strategic thinking, you need to define what it means for your organization and your specific context. Strategic thinking is not a one-size-fits-all concept, but a combination of skills, attitudes, and behaviors that enable leaders to create and execute effective strategies. To do this, it is important to have a clear understanding of the mission, vision, and goals of the organization, as well as analyze the external and internal environment. Additionally, key issues, objectives, and actions should be identified and prioritized. Generating and evaluating multiple options and scenarios is also necessary for successful strategy development. Finally, it is important to communicate and align the strategy with stakeholders and teams, as well as monitor and adjust the strategy based on feedback and results.
All points mentioned are valuable and correct. We need to go thru these and follow the tips given exactly. I will only add one important aspect to the entire process. That is to have a flexible mentality at all times and be ready for all eventuality. Being adaptable is most important in todays world
Are they open to hearing suggestions on tactical goals that build toward the big strategy. There is also a difference between one who is "visionary" but cannot lead you to that vision. This is a big distinction between vision and strategy. One is destination oriented, the other plans how to move the organization to get there. A strategic thinker takes input on the how.
To assess strategic thinking skills, you can use multiple methods that capture different aspects and levels of the skill. Interviews can be conducted to ask open-ended questions to probe the candidate's or employee's strategic thinking process. Assessments such as the Strategic Thinking Questionnaire (STQ), the Strategic Thinking Indicator (STI), or the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) can be used to measure cognitive, behavioral, and motivational aspects. Simulations can be designed or used to apply their strategic thinking skills in a simulated environment, such as a business case, a role-play, or a game. Portfolios can also be requested to provide examples of their previous or current work that demonstrate their strategic thinking skills. All these methods will help you observe and evaluate how they handle situations, what decisions they make, and what outcomes they achieve.
Have them describe an organizational change they participated in. New tech, process improvement, policy or guidance developed, and their role and the challenge overcome. Team dynamics.
Assessing strategic thinking skills is not enough. To help potential or current leaders improve and grow their strategic thinking skills, you need to provide feedback and development opportunities. This can be done by giving constructive and specific feedback on the strengths and areas of improvement based on assessment methods, as well as encouraging them to seek feedback from others. Additionally, you can design or recommend learning activities that challenge and enhance the candidate's or employee's strategic thinking skills, such as courses, workshops, webinars, books, or podcasts. You can also provide them with opportunities to practice and apply their skills in real or simulated situations. Moreover, creating or fostering a culture and environment that supports and values strategic thinking is important. By using these tips and tools, you can assess and develop the strategic thinking skills of your potential or current leaders and help them achieve their goals and vision.