1. INTRODUCTION TO STRATEGIC THINKING
Muhammad Nazim bin Abd. Rahman
Deputy Head of Cluster
Leadership and Executive Development Cluster
INTAN Bukit Kiara
Updated 2018

2. Lecture Content Strategic Thinking Strategic Thinking Definitions
Tips to Enhance Strategic Thinking
When to Use Strategic Thinking?
Exercise in Thinking Strategically
Q & A Session

3. What is Strategic Thinking?
Text Books Definitions:
Thinking Strategically (2010) by David J. Collis. Harvard Business School Press, Boston
“Strategic Thinking is analyzing opportunities and problems from a broad perspective and understanding the potential impact your actions might have on others.”
“Strategic thinking focuses on the long term rather than the short-term. It focuses on the big picture and the small picture, as opposed to just focusing on the small picture. Strategic thinking is both analytical and creative.”
Taken from [

4. What is Strategic Thinking?
This Session Definition:
For this particular session we use this statement to define ‘strategic thinking.’
Strategic Thinking is a thinking skill in ‘seeing’ issues, problems, opportunities and threats in a larger and broader perspective (‘the big picture’) and being able to understand the inter-relation of all the elements involved so that the best course of action could be formulated to achieve the desired goals

5. What is Strategic Thinking?
Jeanne M. Liedtka (1998) observed five “major attributes of strategic thinking in practice” which later known as the ‘Liedtka Model’
Liedtka Model Definition:
“Strategic Thinking is a thinking process involving elements of Systems Perspective; Intent Focus; Intelligent Opportunism; Thinking in Time; and Hypothesis Driven.” .”
Jeanne M. Liedtka, Prof. University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business

6. Strategic FIVE ELEMENTS IN LIEDTKA MODEL EXPLANATIONS1
Systems Perspective
Strategic Thinkers has a mental model of the complete system from beginning to the end 2
Intent Focus
To focus attention, to resist distraction, and to concentrate for as long as it takes to achieve a goal 3
Intelligent Opportunism
Taking advantage of alternative strategies that may emerge as more relevant 4
Thinking in Time
Oscillation between the past, present, and future
is essential especially for strategy formulation and execution. 5
Hypothesis Driven
The ability to develop good hypotheses and
test them efficiently is critical

7. Tips to Enhance Strategic Thinking?
“Draw ‘the big picture’ of the issue and all the elements involved. State clearly what is the goal, the objective, the desired result, the intended destination. Be clear on where you want to go and where exactly you are now.
Identify all the stakeholders. Identify the political, economy, social, technology, environment and legislation (PESTEL) factors influencing the issue or the organisation. Determine the elements that will be the obstacles and the elements that could be the supporting agents in achieving your goals. Insert all other elements that you think are important, on to the big picture.
Estimate how far is the gap between your current position (A) and your intended destination (A+). Take an accurate inventory of all the vital resources needed to travel from A until A+. Formulate and choose the best strategies to take the organisation from A to A+. And remember to always have several contingency plan.” ]

8. When to Use Strategic Thinking?
Usually, Government officers use strategic thinking on three (3) occasions. One, when coming up with a Strategic Plan for their organisation’s. Two, when drafting a Cabinet Paper. Three, when formulating strategies to solve complex issues or problems
As a guideline, use strategic thinking every time you are serious in wanting to achieve your goals and objectives especially when failure is not an option and resources are limited

9. Q&A Session
Are there any questions or concepts that need clarification?
If not…
Thank You
Muhammad Nazim bin Abd. Rahman
INTAN, Bukit Kiara