[Ailist] Strategic thinking/critical thinking

[Bruce Elkin]

> Hi all:
> I have a client whose boss is asking her to be more strategic in her
> thinking and her approach. I would love to hook her up with a course that
> while not being a fundamental AI course, would expose her to strategic
> thinking in ways that would be complementary to AI principles. She is in
> Canada and it would be a bonus if she could take the course in Toronto,
> Ottawa or Montreal but if there was only one and it was in the US, I would
> like to hear about that too.
> 
> Any suggestions for me?
> 
> Esther


Hi Esther,
While I don¹t offer courses, I do offer one to one coaching in strategic
design and planning for individuals who apply it to work.  I used to do
these programs for big corporations and organizations (and sometimes, still,
for the latter) but ENRON, etcŠ put me off, and I began focusing on
individuals.

³Design² is the key to strategic thinking.  Without the overall end result,
nothing will be strategic.  Hence the notion that ³strategic planning is
neither.²  It usually ends up being low-level, tactical programming, which
is useless the moment current reality changes.

My approach which is driven by clear, compelling vision, grounded firmly in
reality, and focused on laying out strategic and tactical actions that
honour current reality and move you toward your vision of a desired result
is, many how know have told me, far superior to any strategic planning
approach they¹ve taken part in.  I have an info package I¹d be happy to
forward to you, and/or to your friend.

Another high-level approach is Robert Fritz¹s Fundamentals of Structural
Thinking approach.  Fritz is a friend and mentor to Peter Senge of The Fifth
Discipline fame.  His approach also goes beyond the rather limited scope of
strategic planning approaches.  I recommend it as well.  www.RobertFritz.com

All the best!
Bruce
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BRUCE ELKIN: Life/Work Renewal Coach & Consultant
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