Pretty Minds V8 - Curating Strategic Thinking Skills And Why You Should To Elevate Your Thought Life

***A newsletter for people who like thinking about thinking. Scaling better thinking and thought processes one email at a time to help you design a beautiful thought life. ***

Hello Pretty Minds Collective,

People always ask me how I developed my strategic thinking skills. The truth is I really don't know how, but I know what being a strategic thinker looks like and how it truly benefits you in life. Throughout my journey, I've honed my strategic thinking skills organically—through both life challenges and opportunities. Whether navigating career changes, launching projects, or finding solutions to complex problems, I've always leaned on my ability to think ahead, see the bigger picture and the small details, and anticipate outcomes. Strategic thinking, to me, is about connecting the dots before anyone else sees them. I share this personal insight because I believe that strategic thinking or critical thinking is deeply intertwined with our individual experiences and the ability to reflect on them.

We often hear that "critical thinking or strategic thinking" is a crucial skill—but what does it really mean to think critically? In a world overflowing with information, developing our ability to analyze, question, and evaluate what we encounter is an essential survival skill for the workplace and the marketplace. Today, let’s dive into the nature of strategic thinking and explore how we can develop this vital skill as part of our mental toolkit.

Top of Mind

Critical thinking isn’t about being critical or negative. At its core, it's a disciplined way of thinking that involves evaluating information, questioning assumptions, and recognizing biases—both in others and in ourselves. The goal is to arrive at reasoned conclusions and make informed decisions, without acting on emotional impulses only and bias. In a sense, it’s our mental "BS detector"—an invaluable asset in the era of misinformation.

Consider the famous quote by Socrates: "An unexamined life is not worth living." Critical thinking is an active, continuous process of examining and understanding not just the world, but also our thoughts about the world.

Food for Thought

Here’s a framework to begin nurturing your critical thinking abilities: R.E.D.

Recognize Assumptions: Identify what assumptions you (or someone else) might be making. Are these based on solid evidence, or are they merely held because they’re convenient?

Evaluate Arguments: Take a step back and look at the argument as objectively as possible. Does the argument appeal to emotion more than reason?

Draw Conclusions: Based on the evidence, what reasonable conclusion can you draw? Are you willing to adapt your conclusion if new information arises?

Did you know that a significant aspect of critical thinking is humility—accepting that what you believe might be wrong and having the curiosity to explore a few alternative perspectives? Developing this mindset takes time and is often uncomfortable, but it’s a fundamental element of true growth.

Learning and Unlearning

Strategic thinking or critical thinking is also about unlearning. As adults, much of what we "know" about the world is colored by experiences, upbringing, or the media we consume. To become a better critical thinker, you must be willing to challenge and sometimes unlearn outdated beliefs or deeply held misconceptions.

One effective way to build critical thinking muscles is to engage with viewpoints different from your own. Whether it’s reading an article that goes against your beliefs or having a respectful debate, exposure to differing perspectives can illuminate your mental blind spots.

Here's a learning plan to help you develop strategic thinking skills as an adult:

1. Understand the Foundations - Start by grasping the core concepts of strategic thinking:

- Articulate clear goals and objectives

- Analyze situations from multiple perspectives

- Consider long-term implications and outcomes

- Identify key stakeholders and their interests

- Evaluate risks and opportunities

2. Practice Key Skills - Focus on developing these essential strategic thinking abilities:

Critical Analysis

- Break down complex problems into smaller components

- Question assumptions and look for root causes

- Evaluate information objectively and consider multiple viewpoints

Systems Thinking

- Understand how different parts of a system interact

- Recognize patterns and trends

- Consider ripple effects and unintended consequences

Creative Problem-Solving

- Generate innovative solutions and alternatives

- Use techniques like brainstorming and mind-mapping

- Challenge conventional thinking and explore new approaches

3. Implement Learning Activities - Engage in exercises to strengthen your strategic thinking:

- Analyze case studies of business strategies and decisions

- Play strategy games like chess or Go

- Practice scenario planning for hypothetical situations

- Conduct SWOT analyses on organizations or projects

- Reflect on past experiences and decisions to extract lessons

4. Seek Diverse Perspectives - Broaden your viewpoint:

- Read widely across different fields and industries

- Engage in discussions with people from varied backgrounds

- Attend conferences or workshops on strategic planning

- Join professional associations related to strategy and leadership

5. Apply to Real-World Situations - Put your skills into practice:

- Volunteer for strategic planning initiatives at work

- Offer to help with long-term planning for a non-profit organization

- Apply strategic thinking to personal goals and life decisions

- Seek mentorship from experienced strategic thinkers

6. Continuous Improvement - Refine your skills over time:

- Regularly reflect on your strategic thinking process

- Seek feedback from colleagues and mentors

- Stay updated on new strategic frameworks and methodologies

- Consider formal training or certification in strategic management

By following this plan and consistently practicing strategic thinking, you can develop this in-demand skill set over time. Remember, becoming a strategic thinker is an ongoing process that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures

Thought Experiment of the Week

Take a moment to challenge an assumption you’ve made about a current event or a belief you hold this week. Write down why you believe it, and what your sources are, and then find two perspectives that disagree. Evaluate these viewpoints and see if your stance changes or broadens. Ask yourself: Have I assumed too much? What do these other views reveal that I hadn’t considered before?

This exercise isn’t meant to change your beliefs but to help you see how assumptions shape your perspective—sometimes without you even realizing it.

Strategic thinking and critical thinking are skills and like any skill, it gets stronger the more we use it. In a time when our feeds are bombarded by content designed to capture attention rather than cultivate knowledge, developing this disciplined way of thinking is our best defense. It’s about building a higher thought life that gives us the ability to sift through the noise and get closer to what's real.

Until next time, keep that big brain energy

Best, Jeneba