Thinking Strategically: Practical Leadership in Action

Strategic Thinking vs Thinking Strategically – What’s the Difference?

In leadership, the terms Strategic Thinking and Thinking Strategically are often used interchangeably, but each serves a unique purpose. Understanding the difference and knowing how they complement each other can enhance a leader’s effectiveness, enabling them to set a strong vision while making practical, real-time decisions that bring that vision to life.

This post explores what makes Strategic Thinking distinct from Thinking Strategically, why both are essential, and introduces five core principles to integrate these approaches into effective leadership.

Understanding Strategic Thinking

Strategic Thinking is about creating a high level vision. It’s the process of setting a direction, identifying long term goals, and defining what success looks like for the organisation. Strategic thinking requires a broad perspective, often looking years into the future, allowing leaders to assess trends, analyse strengths and weaknesses, and develop transformative goals. This form of thinking is foundational and it establishes the “what” and “why” of an organisation’s path forward.

Example of Strategic Thinking:Imagine a school’s leadership team uses strategic thinking to assess student literacy data, review national trends, and decide that literacy improvement is a priority. They set a vision for becoming a “school of readers,” with goals to improve literacy outcomes across all year levels over the next five years. Here, strategic thinking has shaped the long-term direction, providing a clear objective to guide future decisions and actions.

Understanding Thinking Strategically

Thinking Strategically, by contrast, is about applying that vision in day-to-day actions and decisions. It’s the practical, adaptive side of strategy, where leaders align immediate actions with long-term goals. Thinking strategically is responsive, addressing current needs while ensuring that each step moves the organisation closer to its overarching objectives.

Example of Thinking Strategically: In the same school, the principal might allocate funds to reading programs, schedule teacher training on literacy strategies, and regularly track progress. Each choice directly supports the literacy vision, making the goal achievable in real time. If new challenges arise, thinking strategically allows the principal to make adjustments without losing focus on the vision. Thus, thinking strategically is about the “how” of achieving goals, ensuring that daily actions align with the broader vision.

In simpler terms:

Strategic Thinking is about creating the vision and understanding the overall direction.

Thinking Strategically is about applying that vision to day-to-day situations and making decisions that move you toward your long term goals.

Strategic thinking creates the vision. Thinking strategically applies it.

Core Differences Between Strategic Thinking and Thinking Strategically

1. Scope

? Strategic Thinking focuses on defining the high level goals and vision for the future.

? Thinking Strategically applies that vision to specific actions and decisions in real-time.

2. Time Frame

? Strategic Thinking looks at the long term, setting a direction for the future.

? Thinking Strategically is about short term, practical decisions that support long-term objectives.

3. Purpose

? Strategic Thinking answers the “what” and “why,” creating a vision and setting goals.

? Thinking Strategically addresses the “how,” translating that vision into actionable steps.

Five Core Principles Thinking Strategically

To balance Strategic Thinking with Thinking Strategically, leaders can follow these five principles, each offering a practical way to align long-term goals with daily decisions.

Core Principle 1 – Decision Making with Purpose

Make real-time decisions that address immediate needs and long term goals.

Example: Imagine a school facing unexpected budget cuts. Leaders may decide to scale back on non-essential resources temporarily while preserving support for key literacy programs. This ensures that immediate financial constraints are managed without compromising the school’s long term literacy goal.

? Strategic Thinking: The decision to prioritise literacy comes from the high-level vision developed through strategic thinking.

? Thinking Strategically: Purposeful cuts are made to align with both the immediate need and the broader literacy goal.

This principle shows how decisions can meet current challenges while protecting the path to long term success.

Core Principle 2 - Balancing Short Term Wins with Long Term Goals

Identify short-term objectives that advance long term goals.

Example: A school with a goal of increasing student engagement introduces an interactive app as a quick win. To ensure it aligns with the long term vision, the school integrates it into the curriculum, making it a tool that builds critical skills for lasting academic growth.

? Strategic Thinking: The school’s commitment to engagement reflects its core educational values and long term vision.

? Thinking Strategically: Teachers use the app in a way that reinforces key learning objectives.

This principle highlights how short term successes contribute to larger goals when aligned with the vision.

Core Principle 3 - Staying Agile and Adaptive

While Balancing Short Term Wins with Long Term Goals is about ensuring that immediate actions support the broader vision, Staying Agile and Adaptive is about remaining flexible and responsive, allowing leaders to pivot quickly when new challenges or opportunities arise, even if it means adjusting the original plan

Adjust plans in response to challenges while keeping the big picture in mind.

Example: A school has a vision for creating a collaborative learning environment, but a new policy increases teachers’ administrative responsibilities. The leadership team adjusts schedules to maintain planning time, allowing collaboration to continue without compromising compliance.

? Strategic Thinking: The focus on collaboration stems from the school’s long-term vision.

? Thinking Strategically: Immediate adjustments are made to adapt to policy changes while staying aligned with the big picture.

This principle demonstrates the importance of flexibility, enabling leaders to adapt without losing sight of long-term goals.

Core Principle 4 - Collaborating Effectively

Involve the right people at the right time to solve immediate issues and build a collaborative culture.

Example: To improve staff wellbeing, a school forms a working group of teachers, support staff, and wellbeing specialists. This team develops immediate support initiatives, such as mindfulness sessions, while creating a long-term wellbeing strategy.

? Strategic Thinking: The commitment to wellbeing reflects the school’s broader values and long-term vision.

? Thinking Strategically: The group addresses immediate needs, promoting collaboration and fostering a supportive culture.

This principle underscores how effective collaboration can address current challenges and support long-term goals.

Core Principle 5 - Resourceful Problem-Solving

Solve problems with current resources while planning for future growth.

Example: A school wants to offer professional learning despite budget constraints. They leverage staff expertise, creating an in-house training program that meets current needs and builds internal capacity.

? Strategic Thinking: The decision to focus on professional growth aligns with the school’s long-term goals.

? Thinking Strategically: Resourceful use of staff expertise addresses immediate needs while fostering a culture of continuous learning.

This principle shows how resourcefulness can help organisations meet short-term challenges while preparing for sustainable growth.

Balancing Strategic Thinking and Thinking Strategically

For leaders, success lies in blending both Strategic Thinking and Thinking Strategically. Here’s how to integrate them effectively:

1. Set a Clear Vision: Strategic thinking provides a compelling, long-term direction that guides all future actions.

2. Break Down the Vision into Actionable Steps: Thinking strategically translates this vision into smaller, practical steps that drive daily progress.

3. Review and Adjust Regularly

Thinking strategically allows leaders to adapt plans without deviating from the long-term vision, keeping the organisation agile and resilient.

4. Communicate the Purpose

Help team members understand how their work contributes to the long-term vision, creating alignment and shared commitment.

5. Celebrate Short-Term Wins

Recognise achievements along the way to maintain momentum and build motivation, reinforcing the vision and proving the path forward.

Strategic Thinking Creates the Vision – Thinking Strategically Applies it

Understanding the difference between Strategic Thinking and Thinking Strategically can enhance leadership effectiveness. Strategic thinking creates the vision, setting a high-level goal that guides the organisation. Thinking strategically ensures that each step taken aligns with that vision, allowing leaders to adapt while staying on course.

In essence, Strategic Thinking creates the vision – Thinking Strategically applies it. By embracing both approaches and following these five principles, leaders can inspire their teams, overcome challenges, and achieve lasting, meaningful success.