The ‘Draw-Down Period’

Strategic thinkers advance their careers by being better leaders. Not all great thinkers are great leaders, but the ones who are leadership material are likely better leaders than those who fail to think strategically.

Strategic leaders go beyond the role of having and communicating a vision to fully understanding, planning and executing the necessary strategies to realize it. They make better decisions as they have a more holistic view that includes the organization and the people inside and outside it.

Strategic thinkers demonstrate organizational value by creating more strategic thinkers. Developing a culture that considers strategy and doesn’t lose sight of the value that needs to be delivered greatly increases the capabilities of a company. Strategic thinkers are the ones in the organization who ponder and prompt questions that are designed to create even more strategic thinkers.

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude."

1. Vision: they use a mix of logic and creativity to define ambitious but rigorous visions of what needs to be achieved. 
2. Framework: taking into account their own biases, timeline and resources, they can define their objectives and develop multiple action plans.
3. Perceptiveness: they observe and understand the world from all the different perspectives. 
4. Assertiveness: They’re good at evaluating, deciding and promptly executing their decisions without letting doubts fog their vision. 
5. Flexibility: they seek advice to compensate for their weaknesses and then twist their ideas and framework to achieve their goals. But they are flexible without breaking the rules. 
6. Emotional Balance: they are aware and balance their emotions so as to favor the achievement of their goals. 
7. Patience: they understand that most achievements are a long-term endeavor involving various milestones and a lot of effort.