Overcoming the Barriers to Strategic Thinking
These days our phones, laptops, tablets, and (for some) watches are constantly buzzing with notifications, reminders, and messages. And even when our devices are silenced, the alerts are still there, awaiting our acknowledgement. When we operate from this state of constant reactivity, it can be hard to focus, get ahead of our to-do lists, and lead strategically.
In this article, we discuss three barriers to strategic thinking and how to address and overcome distractions, urgent requests, and a lack of vision.
Key Takeaways: Overcoming the Barriers to Strategic Thinking
Constant reactivity makes it hard to focus, get ahead of to-dos, and lead strategically. Creating space to ignore notifications is essential.
Distractions are manageable when you establish boundaries for technology use and clearly communicate response-time expectations to your team, family, and friends.
Not everything is urgent. And as a leader you get to decide what deserves your time and attention. Delegate and coach or train your team to handle tasks on your behalf.
Vision guides strategy. Discern your organization’s current reality and envisioned future. The gap between the two is where the work begins.
Once vision is set and shared, strategy clarifies next steps and will adjust as the industry and business landscape evolve.
3 Barriers to Strategic Thinking
Distractions. In this day and age, accessibility is expected. But you can lead yourself in your technology use by establishing boundaries and clearly communicating them to others (your team, family, and friends). This will set clear expectations around your response time so that people still feel heard but understand that your reply might not be immediate. It’s important to mitigate distractions so that you can manage your work, not let it manage you. Focus can be easily stolen by constant interruptions, but you can take back control with boundaries, clear communication, and established expectations.
Urgent requests. Not everything is urgent; it simply can’t be. People may view their request as your top priority, but as a leader, you get to decide what deserves your time and attention. Delegation is key. You can’t respond well to every request that comes your way, so it’s important to discern who can help you tackle certain tasks. Discern who on your team needs to be coached or trained in specific areas to handle the curveballs that will inevitably land on your plate. Remember, when we react to everything that someone else deems urgent, we give them control over our time, attention, focus, and margin for strategic thinking.
Lack of vision. When we don’t know where we’re going, it’s hard to move forward. And it’s a leader’s responsibility to cast a clear and compelling vision for their team to work together toward. Without vision, strategy may be directionless. Be sure to discern your organization’s current reality and envisioned future so that you can work toward a goal, an exciting future for your company. The gap between the two states is where the work begins. Once your vision is set and shared throughout the organization, then your strategy will make clear your next steps. It will likely need adjustments as the industry shifts and business landscape evolves, the vision propels you forward, and your strategy helps you get there.
Ready to overcome the barriers to strategic thinking in your own life and leadership?
Our team of coaches can help. We’ve walked alongside hundreds of leaders like you, helping them to look up and out from the daily grind of urgent tasks and constant reactivity—and we’d love to help you too. Our one-on-one coaching engagements can help you get clear on your vision, understand which tasks to focus on and which tasks to delegate, and help you lead yourself in a way that allows for growth, health, and success both at work and at home. Reach out to schedule a complimentary discovery call and learn more about our coaching at the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main barriers to strategic thinking?
Distractions, urgent requests, and a lack of vision are three of the barriers that keep leaders reactive instead of proactive.How can I reduce distractions at work and at home?
Lead yourself in your technology use by setting boundaries and clearly communicating response-time expectations so people feel heard without expecting immediate replies.What should I do when everything seems urgent?
Remember that not everything is urgent. Decide what truly deserves your time and attention, delegate appropriately, and coach or train team members to handle inevitable curveballs.Why is vision so important for strategy?
Without vision, strategy can be directionless. Leaders must cast a clear and compelling vision so teams can work together toward meaningful goals.How do “current reality” and “envisioned future” work together?
They define where you are and where you’re going; the gap between them is where the real work begins and informs your next steps.Does strategy stay the same once vision is set?
No. Strategy should be adjusted as the industry shifts and the business landscape evolves, while the vision continues to propel you forward.
