Major Characteristics of A Strategic Thinker

Let’s begin with a definition of strategic thinking so we are all on the same page before reading the article. Strategic thinking is the way people think about, assess, view and create the future for themselves and others. It is much more than responding and reacting to both day-to-day and long-term problems, opportunities and new realities. It is proactive, not reactive and focuses on creating a better future and adding value. Strategic thinking always involves change and imagining the results we can achieve in the future.

So what makes a strategic thinker? What are some of the major characteristics of a strategic thinker? Here are eight (8) major characteristics of strategic thinkers from my perspective as a strategic thinking business coach.

Characteristic #1: possess the ability to move out of their comfort zone and use new and broader boundaries for thinking, planning, performing, analyzing and evaluating and continuous improvement.

Characteristic #2: are very passionate abou t what they do. They have a deep source of energy and motivation.

Characteristic #3: are life-long learners are driven to teach others and share what they have learned.

Characteristic #4: differentiate between the ends (what) and the means (how). They define and plan results at multiple levels before deciding how to achieve the results.

Characteristic #5: are risk takers. They do not limit themselves by current paradigms. They are comfortable investing and risking today’s time for tomorrow’s potential benefit.

Characteristic #6: possess the ability to develop a vision and then use that vision as the foundation for strategic thinking and planning.

Characteristic #7: continuously keep working, connecting and communicating because they never take their success for granted.

Characteristic #8: are will to develop outrageous and extraordinary objectives that define the desired results in measurable terms.

Glenn Ebersole, Jr. is a multi-faceted professional, who is recognized as a visionary, guide and facilitator in the fields of business coaching, marketing, public relations, management, strategic planning and engineering. Glenn is the Founder and Chief Executive of two Lancaster, PA based consulting practices: The Renaissance Group, a creative marketing, public relations, strategic planning and business development consulting firm and J. G. Ebersole Associates, an independent professional engineering, marketing, and management consulting firm. He is a Certified Facilitator and serves as a business coach and a strategic planning facilitator and consultant to a diverse list of clients. Glenn is also the author of a monthly newsletter, “Glenn’s Guiding Lines – Thoughts From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach” and has published more than 250 articles on business.

To find out more about the benefits & rewards of effectively working with a strategic thinking business coach, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at http://www.businesscoach4u.com/ or jgecoach@aol.com