Use these helpful tips to strengthen your strategic prowess across the board
No matter your profession, the ability to demonstrate elite strategic thinking skills is of paramount importance for most employers and companies. This invaluable skill is especially important for those in the field of law, as these individuals must employ effective action plans in order to serve their clients every step of the way. In these cases, without strategy, even the best intentions can fall flat. There are many other skills under the umbrella of strategic thinking, such as communication, problem-solving, planning, and management. Additionally, strategic thinkers showcase proficiency in specific attributes like creativity, risk-taking, learning, and adaptability, and are generally very forward-thinking. If you feel like you may lack savviness in any of these areas, this article is for you. Below we take a look at how lawyers can leverage each of these skills in their daily lives in order to enhance their strategic abilities.
Know: Observe and Reflect
There’s no denying that many of us are extremely busy with our work. Regardless of the industry or field you occupy, it may feel like there is not enough time in the day to complete all the myriad tasks you are indebted to. However, one of the biggest qualities of any strategic thinker is their ability to be present in the world around them and take the time to breathe, observe, and learn. At the same time, in order to come to a holistic understanding of their environment, the most strategic minds are always researching which current trends are making an impact. For example, nowadays AI is entering the law field and changing the future of firms around the world. Therefore, someone that is knowledgeable about this is more equipped to make strategic plans that cater to the technology. The bottom line is that being ‘in the know’ and reflecting on the information learnt are two vital steps in strategic growth.
Practice: Make Good Use of Free Time
At the end of every workday, there will always be some time leftover for much-needed rest and relaxation, a moment to recharge before setting out on another 9-5. However, another easy way to strengthen strategic thinking skills is by using this time to invest in things that will stretch your brain. Chess and poker are two games that have been proven to do just this, with both strategic activities teaching patience, discipline, problem-solving, and concentration. In poker, players need to maintain a forward-thinking attitude throughout in order to develop an organizational strategy that will outwit their opponents. For example, the big blind is one aspect of poker gameplay in which there are tons of variables and options to weigh up, so players need to work out for themselves what to do and what not to do in this important position. Likewise, in chess, every participant must employ structured thinking and deliberation, making it their sole job to concentrate on the pieces and their opponent’s every move. In both games, decisions need to be made constantly, but only after analyzing every possible solution and its outcome so that a specific plan or course of action can be defined. This, at its essence, is the definition of strategy.
Certain games such as chess and poker have been proven to enhance people’s ability to develop plans and strategies
Think: Continually Challenge Yourself
Those who want to broaden their strategic thinking skills should always be asking themselves questions in order to challenge how they see life through their specific lenses. After all, seeking different points of view can never be a bad thing, and can come in handy when working with a team. The ability to acknowledge and accept perspectives that may vary from your own will allow you to come to a decision that everyone can get on board with. This is a crucial quality in a strategic leader. Not to mention this type of thinking promotes curiosity and creativity, also valuable attributes of deep thinkers.
Grow: Take Advantage of Workshops
If you really want to stretch yourself, consider investing in some formal training on the subject. Enrolling in some online or in-person strategy courses that touch on topics relevant to your specific field can be a great way to build effective skills that you can utilize in real life. One thing’s for certain – cultivating a strategic mindset will not happen overnight, but there are undoubtedly practical ways to jumpstart the process that you can take advantage of today.
