In a competitive and ever-changing landscape, people with the ability to think strategically are highly sought after by employers – and have the skills to steer their own careers and lives towards success.
Let’s take a look at what strategic thinking actually entails as well as practical ways to cultivate these skills. We’ll also explore how an MBA can play a pivotal role in honing your strategic thinking skills.
Strategic thinking involves the capacity to see the bigger picture, identify opportunities and devise effective plans to achieve long-term goals. When you think strategically, you can think beyond immediate challenges and adapt to a constantly evolving business environment.
Let’s take a look at some of the key components of successful strategic thinking:
Developing strategic thinking skills is a big plus career-wise, giving you the power to help organisations reach their goals. Being a strategist can help you climb the career ladder, be flexible in different industries and leave a meaningful mark.
Gleeson’s story is proof of this. She says her strategic thinking skills have meant she can enjoy the advantages that come from being adaptable: “The situations that I’m dealing with aren’t locked and loaded into one particular industry or organisation. They are transferable between entity sizes and different industries.”
When you learn to think strategically, you gain the power to tackle challenges methodically and pursue the best and most effective solutions no matter what situation you’re faced with.
It’s a continuous journey that can provide immense value, but how do you become a strategic thinker? How do you develop those skills?
Here are some key ways to cultivate your strategic thinking skills:
If you’re considering an MBA to enhance your strategic thinking skills, MBA Discovery partner universities have you covered with strategy-focused core units:
The MBA course at Southern Cross University includes a core unit on Strategy and Case Analysis, helping you learn how to lead and manage strategic change with exploration via real-life case studies.
The strategy-focused core units in Victoria University’s MBA, including Strategic Management and Business Policy and Strategic Human Resource Management, will set you up with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex business environments strategically and effectively.
James Cook University’s MBA course includes core units in Marketing Strategy, Analytics and Development, and Corporate Strategy, allowing you the opportunity to focus on critical thinking and analysis and delve into the fundamentals of corporate-level strategy.
When you study for an MBA at RMIT Online, you’ll study the Design Thinking for Business and Strategy core units, which will guide you towards using design thinking to make decisions that focus on finding solutions for your organisation. The skills you learn in this course will help you create a strategic plan that gives your company a competitive advantage.
Completing an MBA course not only provides you with a formal qualification but also equips you with a solid foundation of essential knowledge and practical tools that can greatly enhance your ability to think strategically.
Gleeson’s experience highlights how valuable an MBA can be for improving your strategic thinking skills: “I’ve got tools that I learnt during my MBA that I continue to use in my work life today, including productivity hacks and collaboration tools that I use to collaborate with my team online when I’m running a training session.”
Ready to start studying for an MBA? To take the next step in enhancing your strategic thinking abilities, reach out to a Student Enrolment Advisor today. Remember, the more you invest in your education, the more you’ll reap in terms of personal and professional growth.
Whether you’re ready to enrol, or just have a quick question, simply fill out the enquiry form below to speak directly to the university’s enrolment team. They will be able to guide you through:
