Strategic™
People especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Score Distribution
Shows scores for this strength across all staff.
Users with Strategic strength
In their TOP FIVE strengths:
Theme Description
The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, "What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?" This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path ‐ your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: "What if?" Select. Strike.
Action Items
- Take the time to fully reflect or muse about a goal that you want to achieve until the related patterns and issues emerge for you. Remember that this musing time is essential to Strategic thinking.
- You can see repercussions more clearly than others. Take advantage of this ability by planning your range of responses in detail. There is little point in knowing where events will lead if you are not ready when they do.
- Talk with others about the alternative directions you see. Detailed conversations like this can help you become even better at anticipating.
- Trust your intuitive insights as often as possible. Even though you might not be able to explain them rationally, your intuitions are created by a brain that instinctively anticipates and projects. Have confidence in these intuitions.
- When the time comes, seize the moment and state your strategy with confidence.
- Find a group that you think does important work and contribute your Strategic thinking. You can be a leader with your ideas.
- Learn how to describe what you see "down the road." Others who do not possess a strong Strategic theme may not anticipate often or well. You will need to be very persuasive if you are to help them avoid future obstacles, or to exploit the opportunities you have seen.
- Partner with someone with a strong Activator theme. With this person's need for action and your need for anticipation, you can forge a powerful partnership.
How to Manage a Person Especially Talented in the Strategic Theme
- Position this person on the leading edge of your organization. His ability to anticipate problems and their solutions will be valuable. For example, ask him to sort through all of the possibilities and find the best way forward for your department. Suggest that he report back on the best strategy.
- Involve him in organizational planning. Ask him, "If this happened, what should we expect?" "If that happened, what should we expect?"
- Always give him ample time to think through a situation before asking for his input. He needs to play out a couple of scenarios in his mind before voicing his opinion.
- Recognize this person's strength in the Strategic theme by sending him to a strategic planning or futurism seminar. The content will sharpen his ideas.
- This person is likely to have a talent for putting his ideas and thoughts into words. To refine his thinking, ask him to present his ideas to his colleagues or to write them for internal distribution.
- When you hear or read of strategies that worked in your field, share them with this person. It will stimulate his thinking.