Here's how you can cultivate a strategic mindset for better decision-making.

In my experience, those who best use curiosity are fantastic listeners. Asking questions and listening to understand. Analysing information, challenging their own thinking, then probing to explore.

Curiosity drives innovation. Always ask "why" and "how." Explore different perspectives, and be open to learning. This approach uncovers hidden insights and leads to more innovative solutions.

Curiosity is the catalyst for growth. When you engage with "What," "Why," and "How," you embark on a journey of discovery that fuels a passion for knowledge. This mindset not only enriches your understanding of current theories but also equips you with foresight for future endeavors. It cultivates creativity, sparks innovation, and transforms you into an avid seeker of wisdom. Embracing this approach makes you to excel in research and development, ensuring your insights are grounded and your decisions informed. So embrace curiosity.

Always be on the lookout for how people use information, a product, or a service in different ways. What behavior is driving it? What knowledge do they have or do they lack that's influencing them? Do we know who the stakeholders are and what the key elements in the system are? Do we have a full perspective of the system and the adjacent systems that influence it? What exists, and what is emerging? Would you be able to ask questions and conduct small experiments? What new insight do they give you? And if they do, so what? What new value can it generate and for whom? What is the extent of the space you can explore without adding extra capacity or resources? All of this will give you a sense of what is strategically possible in a space.

Problem solving, to me, is less about finding a correct answer and more about the dance between understanding the complexities of a situation and envisioning a future where those complexities have transformed into opportunities. Curiosity is the choreographer of this dance, guiding our steps with a playful inquisitiveness that invites innovation. Instead of viewing challenges as roadblocks, curiosity transforms them into intriguing puzzles. By questioning assumptions and exploring alternative perspectives, we uncover hidden dimensions to the problem. This isn't just about solving the immediate issue; it's about cultivating a mindset that welcomes challenges as invitations to create something new and better.

Cultivating a strategic mindset for better decision-making starts with setting clear goals. As a leadership coach, I emphasize the importance of defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Begin by aligning your goals with your overall vision and priorities. Break them down into manageable milestones to track progress. Regularly review and adjust these goals based on feedback and changing circumstances. This approach helps maintain focus, makes complex decisions more manageable, and ensures your actions are strategically aligned with your long-term objectives.

There are two aspects to this that I think are essential. The first focuses on the word “strategic.” You need to train your mind to project yourself into the future and work your way back. Know where you’re going, and then you can create strategies to get there With flexibility for unknown. The 2nd focuses on the word “ mindset.” It’s important to understand that strategy is a cognitive process. To make good decisions you need to use the decision-making part of your brain that does critical thinking. So often we get caught in the emotional part of our brain, the amygdala, where the “fight or flight”response can take over. The quickest way to get your rational brain back into the driver’s seat is to use breath work & cognitive reframing.

Problem-solving isn't merely a cognitive exercise; it's an adventure into uncharted territory. Strategic thinking, the compass guiding this journey, demands a meticulous exploration of the landscape. Like a cartographer, we must painstakingly gather data, mapping out the contours of the problem. Each detail is a clue leading us closer to a solution. Yet, true mastery lies not in the creation of a perfect map, but in the ability to adapt when the terrain shifts. By embracing uncertainty and cultivating a multifaceted perspective, we transform challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation. Problem-solving is less about finding the right answer and more about developing the resilience to navigate through complexity.

Solving complex problems with a strategic mindset often involves two dynamics: 1. Many-modeled thinking and 2. Second-order effects. Applying a lattice-work of models, scenarios, metaphors, analogies, adjacencies, theories, etc -- enable you to identify patterns and connections that are valuable in spite of them not being obvious. Secondly, the multi-order effects factor requires enough familiarity with your subjects that you can extrapolate what derivatives will spin off from your original, first decision. Practice gaming out most likely decisions people, organizations or systems will make as a result of your decision.

Exploring multiple options prevents tunnel vision. Weigh the pros and cons of different solutions to find the best path forward. This not only enhances decision quality but also prepares you for contingencies, increasing your agility in changing circumstances.

Learning from past experiences refines your decision-making. Analyze what worked and what didn’t to identify patterns and improve future strategies. This continuous learning approach helps avoid repeated mistakes and builds on past successes.

Problem solving isn't merely about finding solutions; it's about embracing the journey into the unknown. Like a seasoned sailor, the most effective problem solvers are those who can read the winds of change, adjust their sails, and find new courses. Rigidity is the shipwreck waiting to happen; flexibility is the compass that guides us through uncharted territories. It's in these moments of adaptation that true innovation and resilience are born.

Change is hard in general. Many get stuck in the "way it is" because that's comfortable and people don't like to be uncomfortable. You have to be aware of this bias and that others have it too. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances allows you to pivot when necessary and take advantage of new opportunities. While it’s important to have a plan, don't change for change sack, and stick to your goals, being too rigid can lead to missed chances or failure to respond to new challenges. Keep an open mind and be ready to adjust your strategies as needed. Strategy is an art not a science, so you have to keep trying until something sticks, and then keep iterating on it.

One of the best ways to have strategic mindset for better decision-making is to create awareness around your body sensations! Our minds do a great job with all the words, yet words can be deceiving. Our bodies will tell the truth every time! Doing this practice regularly is a hack to better decision making Practice: Think of something you are a NO to and start to notice the sensations appearing in your body. Notice your breathing and posture. How does you voice sound when you are a NO? write that down. shake it off Think of something you are a Yes to and start to notice the sensations appearing in your body. Notice your breathing and posture. How does you voice sound when you are certain? Use these ques to inform your decision making.

Become financially fluent to really understand the triggers of your executive customers and your company. Helps you think beyond the daily tasks.