Advanced strategic thinking and decision making often require a shift in perspective, especially in environments characterized by significant uncertainty and change. What worked before may not use in the future. The writers acknowledge that asking "what if"questions about the future may create distress. Asking such questions forces people to step back and challenge recentassumptions. In the authors'view, the questions leaders present can prevent them from solving the right problem or seeing more innovative alternatives. Leaders are often too narrow or excessively protective of the current company or assume that business models the old customs and regulations will stay intact.
This informative article builds on the authors'new publication, Winning The Long Game: How Strategic Leaders Shape the Future. It encourages leaders to analyze their companies from several perspectives: to think "outside in"; to research future scenarios; to be contrarian; to look for routines; to create new alternatives; and to learn from failure. Drawing on examples from firms including Google, Tesla Motors, Pixar, Netflix and DuPont, the authors discuss six questions: How well do you understand the consequences of not as visible and comprehensive market trends undercurrents for your organization and for coming tactical alternatives? How completely have you assessed major outside uncertainties and future scenarios which could significantly affect your company decisions? Do you consistently seek diverse views out to see multiple sides of complicated issues, and do you purposely investigate significant problems from several angles? Do you deploy multiple lenses to join dots from stakeholders and varied sources, and do you delve deep to see important connections that others miss? Do you assess and create multiple options when making a strategic decision, and do you consider the hazards of each, including unintentional outcomes? Do you appreciate experiments and “failing fast” as source of initiation and rapid learning?
The Power of Asking Pivotal Questions Case Study Solution
PUBLICATION DATE: January 01, 2015 PRODUCT #: SMR508-HCB-ENG
This is just an excerpt. This case is about STRATEGY & EXECUTION