You want to succeed in the live events industry. How can you develop strategic thinking skills?

1 Assess your current level

The first step to developing strategic thinking skills is to assess your current level of competence and confidence. You can use self-assessment tools, such as the Strategic Thinking Skills Inventory, to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in areas such as vision, analysis, synthesis, and execution. You can also ask for feedback from your peers, managers, or mentors, who can provide you with valuable insights and suggestions. By knowing where you stand, you can set realistic goals and plan your learning journey.

3 Apply your learning

The third step to developing strategic thinking skills is to apply your learning to real-world scenarios. You can do this by taking on challenging projects, volunteering for new roles, or initiating new initiatives in your organization. You can also seek out mentors, coaches, or consultants, who can guide you and support you along the way. By putting your learning into practice, you can test your assumptions, learn from your mistakes, and improve your performance.

4 Reflect on your outcomes

The fourth step to developing strategic thinking skills is to reflect on your outcomes. You can do this by keeping a journal, a portfolio, or a blog, where you can document your progress, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. You can also solicit feedback from your stakeholders, such as your clients, partners, vendors, or audiences, who can provide you with honest and constructive criticism. By reflecting on your outcomes, you can evaluate your results, celebrate your successes, and identify areas for improvement.

5 Seek new opportunities

The fifth step to developing strategic thinking skills is to seek new opportunities. You can do this by exploring new trends, technologies, markets, or niches in the live events industry. You can also join professional associations, online communities, or interest groups, where you can exchange ideas, insights, and best practices with other like-minded individuals. By seeking new opportunities, you can keep yourself updated, motivated, and curious.

6 Cultivate a growth mindset

The sixth and final step to developing strategic thinking skills is to cultivate a growth mindset. This is the belief that you can improve your abilities through effort, feedback, and learning. A growth mindset helps you embrace challenges, overcome obstacles, and learn from failures. It also helps you seek feedback, collaborate with others, and experiment with new solutions. By cultivating a growth mindset, you can continuously grow and develop your strategic thinking skills for the live events industry.