Successful business leaders remain focused on the future when dealing with short-term problems and opportunities, even when dealing with urgent ones in the heat of the season. They are strategic thinkers and, as so, exhibit the following 10 traits when planning, doing, leading, reacting, correcting and motivating the team.

Are you a strategic thinker?

1. The strategic thinker has a clear picture of success.

They have a long-term vision for their business and keep this vision in front of employees day in and day out. They set short-term goals for their staff to hit, but they limit it to three goals. They hang these goals up on a board in front of their desk. If you have four or more goals at any one time, you are less likely to execute on any of them at all. Start with the end in mind to create clarity for everyone on your team. Keep telling them the “why” of what they are doing. Make the why bigger than the how.

2. The strategic thinker sets short-term goals that knock down multiple pins.

A strategic thinker realizes their personal time is limited and they need synergy in their activities to maximize growth and value creation. Aim to hit multiple objectives with each initiative you undertake.

 3. The strategic thinker solves the problem, not the symptom.

Strategic thinkers do not overreact to every symptom that calls them up, emails them, storms into their office or gets in their face. Strategic thinkers are patient. They look for trends on why problems keep happening. Aim to identify and solve the underlying problems, not the surface symptoms.

 4. The strategic thinker stays calm in the face of frustration.

A strategic thinker doesn’t flinch when the poop hits the fan or when an employee presses their buttons. They know it takes 21 days to set new habits and an employee may need correction and reinforcement for three to four weeks straight to embrace a new behavior. The strategic thinker sees the bigger picture. Emotion is a tool they use proactively, not reactively. Strategic thinkers will capitalize on a crisis to move their organization forward. Never let good problems go to waste, but don’t get caught up in them either.

5. The strategic thinker changes tools and tactics when necessary.

Strategic thinkers have more than one tool in their kit. When the situation changes, they search for the right tool to deal with the change in circumstances. Make sure you have outside resources, multiple tools and good counsel at your disposal in order to make corrective decisions quickly.

6. The strategic thinker spends reflective time working on the business.

Strategic thinkers understand working on the business means taking time to think about the business, to review past plans, to assess their team and resources and to put new strategies in place. Find yourself a quiet place away from the chaos of the work environment when you can take time to be reflective. You may need a second office away from your main office.

7.  The strategic thinker seeks progress, not perfection.

Strategic thinkers gather information but don’t wait for complete information. They work out their plans but not to the last detail. They don’t wait for the perfect opportunity; they make progress with what’s presented in front of them. And they don’t waiver once they have made a decision. Progress, not perfection, is the name of the game. Don’t ask your staff to spend extra time trying to get things perfect. They won’t do things as perfectly as you, so focus on their success, where good really is good enough.

8.  The strategic thinker doesn’t underestimate what can be accomplished in a year.

While strategic thinkers know people tend to overestimate what can get done in a week or a month, they tend to underestimate what they can get done in a year. Strategic thinkers use short term (four-month goals) to keep progress happening constantly, so that by the end of the year significant achievements have been made. Set four-month goals with your staff, limiting them to one to three goals each to help them succeed quickly. Then, reset their goals every four months.

9. The strategic thinker uses speed and clarity. 

Strategic thinkers makes sure everyone on the team knows their proper role, so that the team can move fast with few hiccups when opportunities arise and the season gets in motion. Speed is crucial to success in the new-world order, so the strategic thinker makes sure their team works well with each other and knows each other’s role—clarity and collaboration are the hallmarks of their company culture. When problems arise, don’t allow the blame game to take over. Be hard on your process, not your people.

10.  The strategic thinker taps into diverse perspectives.

The strategic thinker will surround themselves with people who speak up, disagree when necessary and give a unique point of view. The strategic thinker uses diversity to educate themselves quickly to the possibilities and options when setting strategy, changing business plans and reacting to opportunities. Use personality profiles when hiring so you don’t fall into a hiring rut. Allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of your team; you don’t need to be all knowing. Ask your team to be forthright and make sure you take time to understand their opinions, using active-listening skills to ensure you hear their ideas before moving on.

Photo: Gisela Giardino/flickr.comdino