I'm currently exploring this topic on Masterclass by Mellody Hobson. She says - Strategic thinking is an important skill to have, regardless of the size of the teams or organizations we work in. It's about being pragmatic and coming up with a plan to move forward, instead of hoping things will get better.

Here are five guiding principles that she shares, which I have elaborated from a quality leadership perspective.

#1: Put others first

When making changes within teams, whether it's processes, tools, or cultural shifts, consider who will be impacted and how.

#2: Co-Leadership

Leadership doesn't mean working on your own.

Leadership can be collaboration with co-leaders to gain new perspectives and expertise, leading to more innovative and successful results.

#3: Lifelines

Get advice from your friends and mentors. Don't limit yourself to only people within your organization, but also look outside of it. Build your network so that you can get different perspectives.

#4: Hope is not a plan

Rigor. Facts. Math. According to Mellody, these are some of the key ingredients required for sound planning.

#5: Conviction

Once you’ve made a decision, you need to trust and believe in it while still remaining open to change. Having confidence in the path you’ve chosen will “inspire other people to be on that path with you.

It would be great to connect with other people who are interested in these same topics—so if any of the above resonates, feel free to reach out!