3. Strategic Thinking Prompts Customization
General George S.
Patton observed, “Successful generals make plans to fit
circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.”
All good strategic thinkers are precise in their thinking. They try to match the
strategy
to the problem, because strategy isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition.
Sloppy or generalized thinking is an enemy of achievement. The intention to
customize in strategic thinking forces a person
to go beyond vague ideas and
engage in specific ways to go after a task or problem. It sharpens the mind.
4. Strategic Thinking Prepares You Today for an Uncertain Tomorrow
Strategic thinking is the bridge that links where you are to where you want to
be. It gives direction and credibil-ity today and increases your potential for
success tomorrow. It is,
as Mary Webb suggests, like saddling your dreams
before you ride them.
5. Strategic Thinking Reduces the Margin of Error
Any time you shoot from the hip or go
into a totally reactive mode, you
increase your margin for error. It’s like a golfer stepping up to a golf ball and
hitting it before lining up the shot. Misaligning a shot by just a few degrees can
send the ball a hundred yards off target.
Strategic thinking, however, greatly
reduces that margin for error. It lines up your actions with your objectives, just
as lining up a shot in golf helps you to put the ball closer to the pin. The better
aligned you are with your target, the better the odds that you will be going in the
right direction.
