Monday, April 11, 2011

What kind of thinker are you?

There are many different types of thinkers and thinking, but I want to focus on four that are often seen in businesses.
 
Analytical - Most often portrayed by the "Absent-Minded Professor." These thinkers are great with numbers and love to analyze data. They look for patterns and logic in everything and can easily find the commonality in data.

Critical - This person is actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information. They seek structure and evaluate processes. They are great problem-solvers because they often seek solutions outside the box. An excellent example would be Socrates, Plato and other philosophers or Thomas Aquinas.


Creative - DaVinci, Frank Lloyd Wright, Einstein, Edison, and I'd say Ansel Adams were all Creative Thinkers. They reject standardized formats for problem solving, have an interest in a wide range of fields, are excellent at looking at a problem from multiple perspectives and are not afraid of using trial and error and experimenting to find the right solution.

Strategic - At one level, strategic thinking involves all three of the above types of thinking and weaves them together in a unique way to evaluate possibilities as they pertain to the future.Strategic thinking looks at all avenues - resources, clients, staff, and markets to determine a strategy for the future success and direction of the company. I think of Jack Welch and his time at GE.

My suggestion is that as a leader, you would be most effective as a Strategic Thinker for it is one of your primary responsibilities to LEAD the company and employees to the future. Just like any other skill, I believe you can LEARN to be a Strategic Thinker if you practice some skills:

1. Visit and re-visit your company's mission and vision
2. Learn your RQ (Risk Quotient)
3. Evaluate what you are strategically thinking about: a change in Structure; change in Processes; or change in Market
4. Learn to ask questions
5. Communicate the new plan
6. Implement the plan
7. Measure the results 

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