How College Students (and Grads) Can Gain Strategic Thinking Skills

Strategic thinking ranks high on almost every employer’s list of desirable traits. For example, recruiters in a Bloomberg Business report ranked strategic thinking as the 4th most important trait - but also one of the hardest skills to find in job applicants. In a Robert Half Management survey, 86% of CFOs considered the ability to think strategically to be important – with 30% listing it as â€Å"mandatory,† and 56% stating that it was â€Å"nice to have.† Unfortunately, the Robert Half survey also revealed that only 46% of employers provide any type of professional development. So, college students – and employees – need to take the initiative to develop these skills on their own. What is strategic thinking? The definition of strategic thinking may vary based on the person providing the explanation, but in its broadest sense, the term refers to the ability to identify critical situations, analytically and creatively evaluate relevant information, and determine the consequences of choosing a particular action. Dr. A.J. Marsden, an assistant professor of psychology and human services at Beacon College in Leesburg, Fla, tell ThoughtCo, â€Å"Generally speaking, strategic thinking is a cognitive process in which individuals think about, assess, view, and achieve success in their own and others’ lives.† She adds, â€Å"It is knowing how to assess a situation and pick the best option.† In a workplace setting, strategic thinking can help companies focus on what’s important. DeLynn Senna is the executive director of Robert Half Finance Accounting, and the author of a blog post on boosting strategic thinking skills. Senna tells ThoughtCo, â€Å"Strategic thinking involves finding ways to help the business prosper and going beyond the task level.† While some people erroneously assume that management and senior executives are responsible for critical thinking, Senna says, â€Å"It’s something that can impact every level of an organization, and is important for those entering the working world to develop early in their careers.† However, there’s more than just one component to strategic thinking. According to Blake Woolsey, executive vice president of the Mitchell PR firm, there are 8 characteristics that separate strategic thinkers from nonstrategic thinkers: Future-based vs. reactiveCurious vs. isolatedLong-term focus vs. short-term focusWilling to take risks vs. cautiousAble to prioritize vs. unable to prioritizeNimble vs. inflexibleLife-long learner vs. satisfiedCreative vs. predictable    Why strategic thinking is so important This trait helps individuals make better decisions so they can be successful on a personal and professional level. â€Å"Strategic thinking helps individuals focus, prioritize, and be more proactive in addressing specific issues and situations,† Marsden explains. â€Å"The main advantage to strategic thinking is that it helps people achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently -  it focuses on problem solving and creating a clear path to your goal.† Voltaire, the great French philosopher, once said, â€Å"Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. Strategic thinking also includes the ability to ask the right questions. Dr. Linda Henman, author of â€Å"Challenge the Ordinary,† and â€Å"How to Move Beyond Indecision and Good Intentions,† tells ThoughCo, â€Å"When we start with ‘what’ and ‘why,’ we can get to the core of the issue we need to discuss or the problem we need to solve.† However, she believes that starting with the â€Å"how† question can lead to being distracted by methods.   And using the what/why principle, Henman says there are five specific advantages of strategic thinking: Strategic thinking helps us zero in on the critical few as we put aside the trivial many.Strategic thinking helps us keep a global perspective, which in turn, leads to dispassionate, logical thinking, not emotional reactions.When we think strategically, we see patterns and anticipate consequences.We can prioritize better when we think strategically.Strategy keeps us focused on the future, not the present or past. It’s easy to see why companies want employees with these skills. An organization is only as good as its employees, and it needs workers with the ability to make a significant impact. â€Å"Employers want big-picture thinkers with strong business acumen,† Senna says. â€Å"Hiring managers look for professionals who can use their expertise to develop and execute strategies and projects to help the business grow, increase profits, and maintain costs.†    How to develop strategic thinking skills Fortunately, strategic thinking skills can be developed, and there are a variety of settings and situations that provide opportunities for growth in this area. Senna offers the following tips: Volunteer to lead a project team, including one with colleagues from other departments. This can help you gain diverse perspectives and exposure to different problem-solving techniques.Look for training opportunities offered by your company, an external organization, or even a college class or webinar on the subject. Professional industry associations can be a good place to start to find this.Pair up with a mentor who can walk you through different decision-making processes and help you present your ideas to department leaders. This step can be especially valuable for those launching their careers.Tap the power of data. Learn how to turn business intelligence into actionable recommendations for the business. Marsden includes four additional tips: Be proactive about researching and gathering information that will help you make decisions in the future.   Read journals and articles that will help you be more informed. And when you don’t fully understand something, ask questions.  Constantly question your own opinions.  How did they form? What influences them? Are they logical? Be open-minded to the opinions of others.Learn how to embrace conflict and how to use it to come up with a creative solution.   Surround yourself with people who have different worldviews. This gives you (and them) an opportunity to learn from each other.Be sure to take cognitive breaks and allow your brain to rest.  Take time off for a brain break and put yourself in a different type of environment. This will help you develop perspective.

Free Will vs Determinism Essay - 1396 Words

PHIL 110 Essay #2 February 15, 2010 GTF: Emma Jones Free Will vs. Determinism The argument of whether we humans are pre determined to turn out how we are and act the way we do or if we are our own decision makers and have the freedom to choose our paths in life is a long-standing controversy. The ideas of Sartre, Freud, and Darwin are each strong in their own manner, yet Sartre presents the best and most realistic argument as to how we choose our path; we are in control of the things we do and responsible for the decisions we make. Not only this, but also, our decisions have an effect on our peer’s choices, just as theirs affect ours. In this paper, I will argue that Jean-Paul Sartre makes the best argument of the three philosophers†¦show more content†¦Our freedom to choose what we do and our consciousness are directly related; therefore, we make each of our choices for a reason. With each and every decision we make in our lives, we are shaping our purpose and our meaning, but in making our own choices, we have to take on the responsibilities that come with that power. Every individual needs to be accountable for his own actions. Sartre explains in his exposition, â€Å"I cannot obtain any truth whatsoever about myself, except through the mediation of another† (199). This is saying that we need others to help us form our own decisions create and image of how we are to be perceived. It is our responsibility to establish our own value and make the best choices for us and our peers. Sartre goes on to argue, â€Å"When we say that man is responsible for himself, we do not mean that he is responsible only for his own individuality, but that he is responsible for all men† (188). As individuals part of a larger group of humans, we must come to the understanding that all of our choices will affect our peers and have an impact on the decisions they will choose to make which in return affect us. Many people turn to a higher power to pawn off responsibility for their actions. For example, acts of terrorism are often blamed on a higher power â€Å"speaking† to the group of terrorists telling them to do this, however, this higher power does not exist and the responsibility is completely on the individuals. Our choices and actionsShow MoreRelatedFree Will vs. Determinism Essay1716 Words   |  7 Pagesfierce-looking meatloaf, so you decide to go with pizza. So was your decision based off of free will or was this decision predetermined? To fully understand whether your actions resulted from free will or determinism, we must first define each. Determinism is the idea that everything happens due to a cause or a determinant, which is something that can be observed or measured. To put it simply, determinism does not mean that the future can be predicted. Rather, it is a prediction of the possible outcomesRead More Free Will Vs. Deter minism Essay2770 Words   |  12 PagesFree Will Vs. Determinism I. Determinism   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before one can properly evaluate the entire debate that enshrouds the Free Will/Determinism, each term must have a meaning, but before we explore the meaning of each term, we must give a general definition. Determinism is, Everything that happens is caused to happen. (Clifford Williams. Free Will and Determinism: A Dialogue pg 3). This is the position that Daniel, a character in Williams’ dialogue, chooses to believe and defend. 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In the continuing philosophical debate of free will versus determinism, the question arises as to whether or not free will exists. Do people really have the capability of making decisions on their own? OR Is life already determined, and whatever we do is (andRead MoreSophocles Oedipus The King1387 Words   |  6 PagesAs I stated in a previous essay, Oedipus The King is a play by Sophocles which belongs to the genre of tragedy and focuses on a man named Oedipus, king of a place called Thebes, and his efforts to put an end to a plague that has devastated the city. He believes that in order to put an end to the plague, he must find the man that murdered the previous king of Thebes; a man by the name of Laius (Sophocles pg.8-10). Prophecy plays an important role in this play and as Oedipus’ investigation progressesRead MoreBehaviorism To Teach Human Behaviors. Author’S Name. 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This sense of free-will, an opportunity to make a choice between good and evil, is an essential part of humanity...but controlling the freedom of choice is the true key to this idea. So how does this affect and influence Alex’sRead MoreFree Will Vs. Determinism1526 Words   |  7 Pagesother’s throats: Free will versus determinism. Scientist believe they have proven that free will is a mere illusion. Philosophers think other wise. With many experiments and arguments included, both have a different view about this topic. One who believes that all thing, including human behavior, are alre ady determined are people who believe in determinism. Others who believe in free will, believe that our actions are caused by free will and are not controlled. Believing in free will means that people’sRead MoreBaron dHolbach and William James on Free Will and Determinism1192 Words   |  5 PagesBaron dHolbach and William James on Free Will and Determinism 3. Discuss the issue between Baron dHolbach and William James on free will and determinism? Before we can discuss the issue between Baron dHolbach and William James we have to know the definitions of the items the issue is about. Free will according to the Encarta encyclopedia is The power or ability of the human mind to choose a course of action or make a decision without being subject to restraints imposed by antecedentRead MoreInnate Theory : Innate Factors1258 Words   |  6 PagesThe following essay will set out to answer whether innate factors need to be considered in order to explain our behaviour. Throughout the essay I will look at key branches of psychology which contribute to our behaviour. I will also compare and contrast both heritable and environmental factors, this comparison will enable me to uncover the level of importance within heritability. We are led to believe that one gene can contribute to a behavioural trait, most people are unaware of the extensive

Miss Persuasive Essay Example For Students

Miss Persuasive Essay The English ColoniesDuring the 17th century, Europeans had unquestionably come to North America to stay, a fact that signaled major changes for the people of both hemispheres. At first, the English sought to benefit from the New Found land by trading across the continents, but later many English people decided to migrate to North America. Unlike other Europeans, the English transferred their society and politics to their new environment. The New England colonies and the Chesapeake colonies were both English colonies but each had different factors that influenced them. Around 1606, a large population boom followed by high inflation and a fall in real wages motivated men and women to migrate to the New Found land. Merchants and wealthy gentry, who were interested in gaining great profits by finding precious metals and opening new trade routes, formed the Virginia Company which was to become the Chesapeake colonies. On the other hand, men and women migrated to New England mostly for religious purposes. We will write a custom essay on Miss Persuasive specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The climate in New England was very cold and the soil was infertile unlike the climate in Chesapeake were the regions wide rivers, climate and soil were very fruitful. Hence agriculture was an essential and successful trade in the Chesapeake where tobacco and sugar were the major products. While immigrants rushed to New England looking for freedom of religion, men and women migrated from a small landscape apparently over populated island to Chesapeake, a large, land-rich content. Puritans organized the New England colonies in hope of finding a place where they could practice their religion. Except for the few Catholics who moved to Maryland, immigrants to Chesapeake seem to have been little affected by religious motives. Puritan congregations quickly became key institutions in colonial New England, whereas neither the Church of England nor Roman Catholicism had much impact on the settlers or the early development of the Chesapeake colonies. The New England colonies method for distributing land, helped to further the communal idea unlike the Chesapeake colonies where individuals acquired head rights and sited their farms separately, in Massachusetts groups of men applied together to the General Court for grants of land on which to establish towns. The men then receiving these grants decided how to distribute it. Thus, the New England settlements tended to be more compact than those of the Chesapeake. Due to socioeconomic conditions in the Chesapeake colonies, there was a predominance of males which meant that many males remained single and lived in pairs and females often remarried more than once. Thus Chesapeake families were few, small and short lived. Families in New England continuously and immediately reproduced itself because people immigrated in family groups and sometimes accompanied by relatives and friends. Furthermore, lacking such diseases as malaria, New England was much healthier than Chesapeake which meant people had a longer life expectancy. While Chesapeake population patterns gave rise to families that were few in umber, small size and transitory, the demographic characteristics of New England made families there numerous, large and long lived.In New England, church and state were intertwined to a greater extent that they were in Chesapeake. Although Puritans came to New England seeking freedom to worship as they pleased, they refused to award that freedom to others. Even similar offences were considered differently among colonies. Men and women, who were homosexual, were hanged in both colonies but such executions were far more common in New England than they were in Chesapeake even though mens behavior in the two regions would have probably been similar. New England and Chesapeake differed in the sex ratio and age range of their immigrant populations, in the nature of their developing economies, in their settlements patterns, and in the impact of religious beliefs on their settlers lives.