The term strategic thinking is used in so many ways that it is diffi cult to determine what people mean when they use it. In fact, most people probably do not know exactly what they mean: they may use the word to mean “thinking about strategy ” or use it interchangeably with “ strategic management ” or “ strategic planning. ” According to a well - known strategist, Henry Mintzberg, strategic planning is an analytical process aimed at carrying out strategies that have already been identifi ed. Strategic planning results in the creation of a plan. On the other hand, strategic thinking involves intuition and creativity. It is a way to synthesize stimuli from the internal and external nvironments to create “ an integrated perspective of the enterprise. ” According to Mintzberg, strategic planning is so rigid that it tends to drive out creative - thinking processes. The following true story illustrates his point. However, many companies, especially larger ones, have strategic planning processes that mirror the ones described in this example.
When Arlington Hospitality began the search for a new CEO, it asked candidates to draft “ strategic white papers ” presenting their opinions on the future direction of the company. Candidates who did not have an intellectual focus or vision for the firm or who presented status quo thinking were eliminated. The company was in search of a strategic thinker, who possesses the six characteristics of strategic thinking:
1. Intent - focused
2. Comprehensive
3. Opportunistic
4. Long - term oriented
5. Built on the past and the present
6. Hypothesis - driven
