The Power of Macro to Micro Thinking for Strategy Energy
Kristen Brown, CSP
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When it comes to making an impact, whether you're leading a team, running a business, or planning your own career or personal goals, strategy drives everything. But how do you ensure that your strategy is both visionary and actionable? One approach I've relied on throughout my career, both back in my almost 20 years of corporate research and now as a business owner and keynote speaker, is Macro to Micro thinking.
This method, a core element of Strategy Energy within my 7 Energies framework, takes the trends impacting the “big picture” of our world and narrows it down to specific, actionable steps that can be implemented right away. In essence, Macro to Micro thinking allows you to see the world through a wide-angle lens before zooming in on the details that matter most to you and your goals.
In this week’s Energize to Rise show, I touched briefly on this approach, and you can check out the episode HERE . Because it’s such a powerful way to drive Strategy Energy, let’s break down how this method works and why it’s critical in today’s fast-moving world.
Start with the Big Picture (Macro Trends)
The first step in this approach is taking stock of macro trends, those large-scale shifts or patterns that are shaping the world around you. Think of these as the societal, technological, or economic currents that could have far-reaching effects on your industry, career, or life.
In my corporate research days, this was my bread and butter. Whether I was analyzing consumer behavior or tracking market shifts, identifying macro trends was key. These trends helped companies see where they were headed in the long term, allowing them to adapt and stay ahead of the curve.
Let’s look at some examples of macro trends today:
By starting with these larger trends, you’re able to shape a strategy that isn’t just reactive to current circumstances but is also proactive about future opportunities.
Narrow Down to Industry or Market-Level Insights
Once you've identified these large-scale trends, it’s time to narrow your focus to your specific industry or market. This is where the trend analysis becomes more relevant to your immediate environment.
For instance, if you’re in tech, the rise of AI might be a macro trend, but within your specific sector, say, software development, you need to consider how this technology will influence everything from coding practices to product lifecycles.
During my corporate career, I’d often take a large macro trend like consumer behavior shifts and apply it directly to the markets we were serving. By doing this, I was able to help companies fine-tune their product offerings and marketing strategies to stay relevant.
At this level, you should be asking yourself questions like:
By zooming in, you’re aligning your strategy with the actual conditions of your specific market, ensuring you’re not making decisions based on abstract concepts but on real-world data.
Break It Down to Organizational or Personal Goals
Next, you bring the focus even narrower by applying this analysis to your organization or personal goals. This is the micro-level thinking where the magic happens.
As a business owner, I now use this process to structure everything from my long-term vision to my daily tasks. For example, if one of my goals is to grow my keynote speaking business in a world where change is a macro trend and event budget inconsistency is the norm, I would adjust my offerings to include topics on change tied to current market trends customized for the client and their industry AND I offer program flexibility so I offer three levels of pricing to clients so they can decide what fits their budget.
This step is where you ask:
At this level, the big-picture strategy starts becoming a tactical plan. You’re no longer just aware of a trend; you’re actively taking steps to position yourself or your business within it.
Create Actionable Steps (The Micro)
Finally, after moving from the macro-level trends to personal or organizational goals, it’s time to create actionable steps. This is where you convert everything you’ve learned into a daily or weekly to-do list that pushes you closer to your goals.
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For me, this process is all about creating momentum. When you start with the macro and work down to the micro, your action steps are grounded in a solid strategy. Whether it’s pivoting your business model, learning a new skill, or launching a new product, you have the clarity and confidence that comes from aligning your actions with larger trends.
As an example, I’ve recently been focused on building two new programs: The Flow Formula: Unblocking Your 7 Energies for Breakthrough Results and Big Wild Change: Tapping Into the Power of New Beginnings. By following the Macro to Micro approach, I’ve been able to map out my goals for each, align them with current workplace challenges like burnout, sales stagnation, and change management, and create specific steps to launch and promote these programs including a Certification Program, Consulting, and deeper ways to ensure organizations are taking action, seeing impact, and experiencing ROI.
Why This Matters Now
In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing market, the ability to zoom out and zoom in with ease is critical. Macro to Micro thinking gives you both the long-term vision and the short-term steps to succeed, regardless of external circumstances.
In this week’s Energize to Rise show, we did a mini exercise with this concept. Watch the episode HERE and start applying Macro to Micro thinking in your work and personal life today! By linking macro trends with actionable micro steps, you create a strategy that is not only visionary but also immediately impactful. Let’s go from big ideas to daily wins, together!
Add ENERGIZE TO RISE to your calendar and invite your colleagues to watch! This is the perfect way to start your week with clarity and purpose, and I promise it will help you show up better for your business, your team, and yourself.
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About Kristen Brown, CSP:
Kristen Brown is The Energy Phoenix!
She is a Certified Speaking Professional who redefines energy in the modern workplace. Drawing from her transformative experiences as a young widow and 15 years in corporate leadership, Kristen's keynotes have revolutionized workplace dynamics for giants like Microsoft, General Mills, and Target, small businesses across industries, associations, and everything in between.
With a Master's in Integral Theory (the art and science of multiple perspectives) and a suite of wellness certifications, she presents a holistic blueprint for achieving unparalleled work/life breakthroughs, resilience, and results. Kristen's influence spans media from Forbes to "Live with Kelly" and as one of only 400 active Certified Speaking Professionals globally, she promises an experience grounded in fun, expertise, and energy.
With Kristen, organizations don't just adapt; they rise.
Learn more by clicking the image below or visit: KristenBrownPresents.com
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