The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking - by Michael D Watkins (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Pattern recognition. Systems perspective. Mental agility. Structured problem-solving. Visioning. Political savvy. For every good leader who has mastered of one of these disciplines is a great leader who knows and has mastered all of them. Michael D. Watkins, an expert on leadership transitions and organizational success, returns to the page with a new how-to guide for the modern leader. Here, he presents the six disciplines that separate the great from the good. Developed over the course of his storied career, Watkins' approach to strategic thinking -- 'a set of mental disciplines leaders use to recognize potential threats and opportunities, establish priorities, and mobilize themselves and their organizations to envision and enact promising paths forward' -- is the model followed by some of today's most successful first-time CEOs and new business leaders. The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking is a comprehensive and practical guide to strategic thinking, offering a wealth of insights and tools for leaders at all levels."--

Book Synopsis

International bestselling author of The First 90 Days Michael D. Watkins presents an actionable framework for business strategy to help aspiring leaders learn to think strategically and improve their decision-making--a set of skills more necessary than ever in a world of constant change.

Pattern recognition. Systems perspective. Mental agility. Structured problem-solving. Visioning. Political savvy. For every good leader who has mastered of one of these disciplines is a great leader who knows and has mastered all of them.

Michael D. Watkins, an expert on leadership transitions and organizational success, returns to the page with a new how-to guide for leadership development. Here, he presents the six disciplines that separate the great from the good. Developed over the course of his storied career, Watkins' results-oriented approach to strategic thinking and problem-solving--"a set of mental disciplines leaders use to recognize potential threats and opportunities, establish priorities, and mobilize themselves and their organizations to envision and enact promising paths forward"--is the model followed by some of today's most successful first-time CEOs and new business leaders.

The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking is a comprehensive and practical guide to strategic thinking, offering a wealth of insights and management skills for leaders at all levels.

This comprehensive guide delivers the leadership skills you need to succeed:

• Pattern Recognition: Identify critical threats and opportunities by seeing the crucial patterns in a sea of noise.
• Systems Analysis: Build powerful mental models of complex business situations to make better predictions and develop more promising strategies.
• Mental Agility: Master level-shifting to see both the forest and the trees, moving from the 50,000-foot view down to the critical details.
• Political Savvy: Understand the art of influence to navigate organizational politics and build the alliances needed to drive your agenda forward.

Review Quotes

"In today's turbulent times, strategic thinking is more important than ever. The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking offers an essential blueprint for leading your organization into an uncertain future. In it, Michael Watkins challenges the idea that strategic thinking is just art, providing the fundamental principles and tools that drive success. Dive into his outstanding guide and become the best strategic thinker you can be." - Darius Adamczyk, executive chairman, Honeywell

"Whether you're just embarking on your career path, driving initiatives on your team, or leading a multinational enterprise, this insightful book is an essential roadmap for your journey toward strategic thinking, planning, and executing with excellence. It provides practical tools and techniques for strategic thought leadership and decision-making." - Cristal Downing, EVP and chief communications and public affairs officer, Merck & Co.

"Watkins' penchant for multistep processes and enumerated lists ensures his suggestions are easy to follow, and his concise style will appeal to readers in a hurry. This no-nonsense manual gets the job done." - Publishers Weekly

"Professor Watkins successfully breaks down a previously elusive leadership concept by presenting it in a tangible and pragmatic manner. His book empowers readers not only to recognize these attributes in others but also to identify their presence in our own approach." - Edilson Camara, Egon Zehnder

"More than ever, business leaders must be strong strategic thinkers. In The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, Michael Watkins defines what strategic thinking is and why it's so important. He shows it's a skill that can be developed and provides a roadmap for enhancing it through the right mix of on-the-job experience and mental exercise. Every aspiring executive can benefit from his insights." - Jean-Francois Manzoni, President, The International Institute for Management Development (IMD)