What are common mistakes people make when developing a strategic mindset?

1 Mistake 1: Failing to define the problem

One of the first steps in developing a strategic mindset is to clearly define the problem that you are trying to solve or the opportunity that you are trying to seize. Without a clear problem statement, you will not be able to identify the root causes, the key stakeholders, the relevant data, or the possible solutions. Failing to define the problem can lead to wasting time and resources, pursuing the wrong goals, or overlooking important aspects of the situation.

To avoid this mistake, you should use a structured approach to define the problem, such as the 5W1H method (who, what, when, where, why, and how). This will help you to narrow down the scope, understand the context, and articulate the desired outcome of your strategy.

2 Mistake 2: Jumping to conclusions

Another common mistake that people make when developing a strategic mindset is jumping to conclusions without gathering enough evidence, testing assumptions, or considering alternatives. This can result in biased, flawed, or incomplete decisions that may not address the real problem or achieve the desired outcome.

To avoid this mistake, you should adopt a critical thinking mindset that challenges your own and others' assumptions, seeks feedback and input from diverse sources, and evaluates different perspectives and scenarios. You should also use data and logic to support your arguments, rather than relying on intuition or emotions.

3 Mistake 3: Being too rigid or too flexible

A strategic mindset requires a balance between being rigid and being flexible. Being too rigid means sticking to a predefined plan or strategy without adapting to changing circumstances, new information, or feedback. This can make you miss opportunities, overlook risks, or resist innovation. Being too flexible means changing your plan or strategy too often or too easily, without having a clear direction, rationale, or criteria. This can make you lose focus, coherence, or alignment.

To avoid this mistake, you should monitor and review your plan or strategy regularly, and make adjustments when necessary, but not without a good reason. You should also communicate your plan or strategy clearly and consistently, and align it with your vision, mission, and values.

4 Mistake 4: Ignoring the big picture

A strategic mindset is not only about solving specific problems or achieving specific goals, but also about understanding how your actions and decisions fit into the bigger picture. Ignoring the big picture can make you lose sight of your purpose, your impact, or your stakeholders. It can also make you overlook the long-term implications, the interdependencies, or the trade-offs of your strategy.

To avoid this mistake, you should always keep in mind the why, the how, and the what of your strategy. Why are you doing what you are doing? How are you doing it? And what are you trying to achieve? You should also consider the broader context, the trends, and the future scenarios that may affect your strategy.

5 Mistake 5: Working in isolation

A strategic mindset is not something that you can develop or apply in isolation. Working in isolation can make you miss valuable insights, feedback, or support from others. It can also make you less accountable, less collaborative, or less inclusive in your strategy.

To avoid this mistake, you should seek and leverage the collective intelligence, expertise, and experience of your team, your network, or your community. You should also share your vision, your goals, and your progress with others, and invite them to contribute, challenge, or co-create your strategy.

6 Mistake 6: Not learning from mistakes

The final common mistake that people make when developing a strategic mindset is not learning from their own or others' mistakes. Not learning from mistakes can make you repeat the same errors, miss the same opportunities, or face the same challenges. It can also make you less resilient, less adaptable, or less innovative in your strategy.

To avoid this mistake, you should embrace a growth mindset that views mistakes as opportunities to learn, improve, and grow. You should also reflect on your actions and decisions, and identify the lessons learned, the best practices, and the areas for improvement. You should also celebrate your successes, and acknowledge your efforts and achievements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?