A primary role of a leader is to think strategically.  The purpose of strategic thinking is to discover novel , imaginative strategies which can rewrite the rules of the competitive game and to envision potential futures significantly different from the present.\n\nI frequently work with organizations to help leaders develop their strategic thinking abilities.  Research done by Ellen R. Goldman identified 10 experiences that contributed to the development of a person’s ability to think strategically.\n\nPersonal: Family Upbringing/Education, General Work Experiences, Becoming a CEO\n\nInterpersonal: Being Mentored, Being Challenged by a Key Colleague\n\nOrganizational: Monitoring Results/Benchmarking, Doing Strategic Planning, Spearheading a Major Growth Initiative\n\nExternal: Dealing with a Threat to Organizational Survival, Vicarious Experiences\n\nExpertise in strategic thinking arises from the culmination of various experiences which provide new and different perspectives and is fueled by an individual’s natural curiosity. If you are trying to develop these skills in yourself and others you lead, seek and offer others experiences to develop their strategic thinking.  And above all – be curious.  Think outside the lines.  \n\nMIT Sloan Management Review, Summer 2007, Volume 48, Issue #4\n\n \n\n