RUNNING HEAD: STRATEGIC THINKING & SWOT 1

Week 5, Individual Assignment

Shane Gray, 566541

LDR660

Siena Heights University, Graduate College

02/10/2017
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Strategic Thinking and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT)

Strategic thinking as a mind-set, is foundational to the competencies that are necessary

for its effect on an organization and the outcomes of its workforce. The ideology that strategy

occurs within the confines of quiet spaces and in an individual mind, would be counterproductive

for the outcome towards an organizations success. The contrary is true, in that strategy must be

comprised of a collective effort for it to be born through strategic thinking. The forward thinking

of good leadership makes up a portion of the vision that must be present when determining what

to do in the now, and what is also best for future outcomes. Allowing the creativity of those who

work best in that character, to freely flow, and the analytical thinkers to meditate and

hypothesize, will assist in the strategic thinking that brings lasting and productive results.

Todays volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world (Hughes, R., Beatty,

K.C., & Dinwoodie, D., 2014, p. 55) requires success to be vetted through the strategic thinking

that only can occur when stakeholders are made a priority in its outcome. The following is a

brief that will provide thoughts on strategic thinking as a process, experiences where strategic

thinking was allowed and where it would have been beneficial, examples of strategic thinking in

application, and finally, how a SWOT analysis is beneficial as a competency builder, for strategic

thinking.

Thoughts

Strategic thinking as an exercise would be beneficial for revealing many things within

team settings, and especially in providing an interior view to the mind-set of leaders or potential

leaders. Coming from a predominantly bureaucratic career path, it is evident that the silos which

are constructed by many government bodies and officials have not served them or their

stakeholders, on several occasions. The idea that strategic thinking should include a collective

process where ideas and perspectives are gathered from a diverse group of individuals, both
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internal and external to the organization, is a conscientious attempt to gain the best outcome.

Tearing down silos that have been erected both in the minds, and within the closed-door-clubs

may be one of the first steps toward gaining success after many years of stagnation or cyclical

failures. Being mindful of the strategic priorities, while discovering the strategic drivers will

lead the organization through the strategic learning process. (Hughes, R., Beatty, K.C., &

Dinwoodie, D., 2014).

The key indicators for how a team or a strategic leader will function, together or

individually, are the outcomes that they have previously enjoyed or endured. As defined by

Goralski, and Luoma (2016), it seems that many benefits would come from team members, or

leaders, to conduct an individual SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats)

analysis, as their first assignment. Providing an analysis of their own and then for the teams

strengths and weaknesses. Once completed, coming together to discuss each persons SWOT

analyses with the team, or their mentor, would provide an illustration by which team and

individual assignments could be made or in defining where a leader would fit in the organization.

The team leaders would have an interpretation of the team members strengths and weaknesses,

thereby making task assignments easier and providing the best insurance for success. Each

person would be able to work in their strengths, while training to potentially overcome any

weaknesses (p. 90).

Formulating teams or committees which are diverse in its personnel and talents is as

important to individual satisfaction, as it is for the greatest potential for success. Understanding

that strategic thinking is a greater sign of good leadership than independent strength and talent is

key to maintaining the diversity that is so important for organizational excellence. Often times

we may gravitate toward others who are very talented, who think like we do and who have the

same ideals and beliefs as we do, and that is not the best recipe for success or maintaining good
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outcomes for the stakeholders. If we all share the same view, and have the same paradigms, we

will all share the same outcomes, which will more likely consist of doing things the way we have

always done them. We may speak the new language, but we are not acting any differently, which

means

that our minds have not changed. We are still struggling with becoming competent in strategic

thinking and what it means. We must first understand that the roots are what determine the fruit.

Experiences

Until just recently, the term SWOT had not been something that was used within the

circle of my influence. As the world of industry transitions to technology, it seems we are

maintaining a pace that would require a tool which is easily taught and as easily used. As stated

by Helms and Nixon (2010), In the business arena the grouping of internal and external issues is

a frequent starting point for strategic planning. It can be constructed quickly and can benefit from

multiple viewpoints as a brainstorming exercise (p. 216).

The organizational influences, which become the experience from which reference my

knowledge is drawn, are nothing short of the command and control era, along with the

transactional leadership style and proverbial carrot and stick methodology. Thank goodness, the

organization has evolved and is ever changing for the better of all stakeholders. Nonetheless,

until fresh leadership with modern perspective is put in the places where currently old eyes and

old perspective resides, the actions observed have yet to match the modern language of the day.

Though new, non-political figures are taking the seats where once sat the career politician, there

is still much evolution that must occur in order to change the mind-sets of those who were raised

under the aged-old career politicians.

Application
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According to Agarwal, Grassl, and Pahl (2012), a process which maintains brief and

orderly guidelines is necessary, especially one that is driven by a highly original and influential

idea which will assist for the development into the future. The resources available in an

organization often times assist in determining what a suitable market is. This is true, often more

so, than conditions which are already known within the business environment. With the internal

knowledge intact, it allows strategic leaders to plan and create successful strategies to capture the

external knowledge. With this key insight and an internal resource-based view of the firm, the

method of planning must take on a new and a more structured approach, which facilitates

analysis alongside of competitors, and which guides leadership into process where data becomes

a priority within the strategic objectives bringing consistency of operations and the mission of

the organization to the forefront.

The creation of Effective Process Improvement and Communication (EPIC) committees

has been a streamlined effort by the Administration, within the organization, to bring

improvements, cut waste, and create a more safe and healthy environment for all stakeholders.

EPIC committees are able to provide the internal view, next to the external needs, which

provides them with all of the information allowing the strategic thinking process to occur.

Outcomes are much more complete and fully thought through, prior to being submitted for final

approval and implementation.

SWOT Analysis

An individual who is versed in land navigation using a topical map, will be able to get

you from point A to point B without worry of being lost or hesitation on which way they should

travel. Should the same type of navigator be in a location with a map, but who had lost his way,

he would know to attempt to get to a high place so he could see what terrain features or

prominent man-made features were around. The point is, the navigator prefers to be looking
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onto the topography from a high place in order to find his way, so it is true with a SWOT

analysis. Using the SWOT analysis tool, you can quickly determine where you are.

Strengths reveals the things that are already serving an operation well. While writing this

paper if a SWOT analysis was completed, listed as internal assets would be: writing skills,

research skills, good time-management and timeliness. External assets would be: fully

functioning laptop and user knowledge, strong wireless internet capability, access to the SHU

library online, and a printer with ink and paper when necessary.

Weaknesses would be objectively approached in reference to the internal value. The list

would include: lack of motivation, over extended and busy, for internal assets. External

weaknesses would include: access to internet only at home, schedule keeps me from home a lot,

difficult work-life-balance.

Opportunities would include a list of thing to ease the burdens of weaknesses listed and

heighten the opportunities in using the strengths listed. This would include: days off from work,

lots of research conducted, wireless internet at full strength while no one else is home, able to

focus on the task at hand with no interruptions, feeling of accomplishment and more balance.

Threats would be objectively approached and fully vetted to ensure that I am not causing

undue stress or presenting unrealistic ideas. They would include: over-extension causing burn-

out, losing interest in any area, losing focus of the 30,000-foot view, being fixed on the 10-foot

view.

According to the article Is SWOT analysis still fit for purpose? (unk, 2015), It is more

important to be aware of factors that can affect strategic planning rather than their actual

classification. An opportunity not taken might well become a threat (p.15).

Conclusion
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Strategic thinking is a process which requires competencies within the process. Strategy

is forward thinking, as well as s focus on whats confronting us in the here and now. It requires

creativity and analytical talents in order to vet out each detail of a strategic plan. Finally, the

strategic thinking process can be assisted through the conducting of a SWOT analysis. Possibly

the most important fact with strategic thinking is that it is not a solo act, but more like an

orchestra performance, where many pieces, play several parts, to create the sum of the whole.
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References

Agarwal, R., Grassl, W., & Pahl, J. (2012). Meta-SWOT: Introducing a new strategic planning

tool. The Journal of Business Strategy, 33(2), 12-21.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02756661211206708

Goralski, M. A., & Luoma, P. (2016). Competitiveness and sustainability in a changing global

landscape: The business strategy game simulation. Competition Forum, 14(1), 89-102.

Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1837562551?accountid=28644

Helms, M. M., & Nixon, J. (2010). Exploring SWOT analysis - where are we now? Journal of

Strategy and Management, 3(3), 215-251.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17554251011064837

Hughes, R.L., Beatty, K.C., & Dinwoodie, D. L. (2014). Becoming a strategic leader: Your role

in your organizations enduring success (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

Is SWOT analysis still fit for purpose? (2015). Strategic Direction, 31(4), 13-15. Retrieved from

https://search.proquest.com/docview/1697175893?accountid=28644