Strategic Thinking is everywhere! Job postings, conferences, internal meetings and more. But what can it mean to you?

Strategic thinking is a skill, like many others. A muscle to flex and grow until you are confident in your abilities.

What is it? Strategic thinking is the ability to see the bigger picture, connect the dots, anticipate challenges, and craft a plan that moves you toward a long-term goal. It’s not just about solving today’s problems — it’s about positioning yourself to win tomorrow too. Strategic thinkers balance analysis, creativity, and foresight to guide action.

Think of it like playing chess, not checkers: every move you make should be part of a larger plan, not just a reaction to the moment.

To become better at Strategic Thinking, here are some beginning steps:

• Clarify the Goal: Get clear on what you’re trying to achieve — not just the next step, but the ultimate destination. Ask yourself, "What does winning look like?"

• Understand the Landscape: Gather intelligence. Study the environment, your competition, your allies, your resources, and the constraints.

• Spot Patterns and Trends: Don’t just collect facts — interpret them. Look for underlying patterns, trends, and dynamics that will influence outcomes.

• Think in Scenarios: Great strategic thinkers don’t assume one future; they imagine multiple possible futures and prepare for them. Ask, "What if X happens? What if Y happens?"

• Make Smart, Calculated Decisions: Strategy is about making moves that create an advantage, including risks — but the risks are intelligent, not reckless.

Like any skill, learning how to think strategically takes time and practice. Set aside time to work on it, just like you would do any other new skill you are learning. Games like chess, poker and even some video games can be helpful, they are a workout for your strategic brain.

To get started ask "Why?". Don't take anything at face value. Think deeper: Why is this happening? Why does this matter? Why are we doing it this way?

And just like that you are starting to become a Strategic Thinker.