9.0: Think Strategically Discussion

Many people show up to work each day and work diligently to execute their daily tasks. Is anything wrong with this?

Some people show up to work each day and execute their daily tasks, yet also question the status quo. They think about ways to improve their organization and what they do. They think about the future and how to best leverage it. What is the impact of this on their organization?

Your productive time and energy at work is allocated to one of two activities:

• Tactical activity which maintains the status quo and accomplishes your near-term goals
• Strategic activity which improves your status quo and makes incrementally new progress toward your long-term goals

On average, how much time do you spend on tactical versus strategic activity? (Think of tactical activity as having a near-term due date and strategic activity as not having a due date. In theory, you could keep postponing strategic activity.)

What was your most recent strategic idea that was implemented? How did it turn out?

What causes people to question long-held beliefs and be unsatisfied with the status quo? Or to give thought about how current circumstances will evolve and how to take advantage of them?

Strategic thinkers give attention to the primary drivers of organizational performance. What most impacts your organization’s performance and goal attainment?

Answer in the space provided using this format:
Internally

• ________________________
• ________________________
• ________________________

Externally

• ________________________
• ________________________
• ________________________