Source: Harvard Business Review
Adapted from “4 Ways to Improve Your Strategic Thinking Skills,” by Nina Bowman

If you believe that only senior executives need to think strategically, think again.
No matter what level you’re at, strategic thinking is a critical skill — one that can always be improved.

To hone your capacity to see the big picture, start by making sure you have a solid understanding of the industry context and business drivers. Make it a routine to explore the internal trends in your day-to-day work.

Pay attention to the issues that get raised repeatedly, and synthesize the common obstacles your colleagues face. Be proactive about connecting with peers in your organization and in your industry to understand their observations of the marketplace, and share this information across your network. Take the time to understand the unique information and perspective that your job function contributes to the company. Thinking at this higher level will position you to be more strategic in your role.