This podcast from Squiggly Careers talks about strategic thinking - what it means, why it matters and how you can develop the skill at work. The presenters discuss useful strategic questions that you can apply to your career and share some tried and tested frameworks that can help you zoom out and structure your thinking.
- Learning method: podcast
- Duration: 36 minutes
How to think strategically | Amazing If
This podcast delves into the fundamental concept of what it means to be strategic.
The presenters break down strategy into three key components: future focus, breadth, and purpose. Through engaging discussion and practical examples, the podcast emphasises how anyone can become more naturally strategic by applying these principles to their daily work to demystify the concept and provide practical tips for the audience.
- Learning method: podcast
- Duration: 26 minutes
The three key elements of being strategic:
- future focus: Being strategic means having a clear line of sight on the horizon, looking beyond the immediate tasks, and thinking about future objectives and goals
- breadth: A strategic perspective involves considering the bigger picture, identifying stakeholders, and understanding the broader impact of decisions on the organisation
- purpose: Being strategic requires understanding why a particular direction or decision is chosen and aligning it with the organisation's overall objectives and mission.
Podcast episode 1: The Strategic Leader, The three essential keys to being strategic
Building an understanding of what strategic thinking is and the key tools and techniques that support and build competence in strategic thinking.
- Learning method: workshop
- Duration: one-day
- Cost: £570.00 per delegate
Understand what strategic thinking is and how it can help you in your organisation. Learn about the differences between strategic thinking, strategic planning and policy. Identify and build awareness of the key competences in strategic thinking. Understand the importance of networking, stakeholder engagement and communication in strategic thinking. Understand how to use a range of tools and techniques to aid strategic thinking and strategic planning.
The Institute of Leadership has approved this training course. Based on the Institute's core leadership values, this course meets the standard to identify and build awareness of the key competences in strategic thinking.
Strategic thinking - principles, teaching and tools | University of Birmingham
This Institute of Leadership and Management recognised programme, introduced in 2007 in partnership with Chief Executives and the Local Government Association, develops practical strategic leadership skills immediately transferable to work. Over 500 local government senior managers have attended this programme in the last 15 years.
- Learning method: training course
- Duration: nine days, plus six self-managed knowledge share action learning sessions across nine months. Online and face to face.
- Cost: bursaries are available to cover 15 per cent to 10 per cent of the fees. The delegate fee, which includes all materials, tools, certification and day delegate venue costs is £5,865 (excluding VAT) plus a £110.00 ILM fee. With a 15 per cent bursary it is £4985.25 excluding VAT.
Learn how to:
- apply strategic thinking skills and tools to improve the quality of decision making
- lead strategic change by creating a vision and an appropriate change strategy using agile approaches
- lead implementation by translating strategy into change projects and programmes
- build high performing agile internal and multi-agency collaborative teams
- make a positive impact by communicating with influence
- be better equipped to make the case for ongoing investment in and recognition of your services.
Strategic Leadership Programmes | KBA Solutions Ltd
This programme focuses on how to navigate the complex challenges within social services successfully while making a meaningful impact on people who draw on case and support, and your organisation. It is delivered by industry leaders with evidence-based leadership development expertise. The content is contemporary, relevant and personalised to the unique needs of aspiring directors.
- Learning method: training course
- Duration: the programme will be delivered over a three-month period. Full attendance at the three face-to-face residential days and the six webinars is a mandatory requirement of the programme.
- Costs: £1,700 + VAT
Learn how to:
- lead with confidence, resilience, and ambition
- inspire high-performing teams and foster inclusive, dynamic work environments
- develop advanced decision-making skills to address complex issues
- build a strong foundation of political intelligence and strategic thinking
- drive meaningful organisational change and improve care and support outcomes.
Becoming a Director of Adult Social Services programme | Skills for Care
The course is aimed at senior leaders working in any sector of the health and care system. You won’t be taught basic managerial skills, but you will be supported to develop the skills you already have and to work more effectively with complex strategic leadership challenges and relational dynamics. You’ll have the opportunity to work on your emotional and political intelligence, compassionate leadership, and how to build resilience for you and your organisation.
Learning method: training course
- Duration: five weeks, face to face, over six months
- Cost: £11,600 + VAT. There are a few bursary places available for leaders from the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, social care and local government.
- Targeted at middle leaders and those aspiring to director level or a clinician in a leadership or managerial position including across networks, organisations and systems.
Learning outcomes:
- learn more about yourself as a strategic leader and how others see you
- how to manage team and organisational dynamics
- consider the dynamics of human systems and how to work with these effectively as a leader
- examine issues of power, authority, conflict, role, difference, change and transition.
Top Manager Programme | Senior Leadership Course | The Kings Fund
