The Lost Art of Thinking in Large Organizations

The Lost Art of Thinking in Large Organizations”, author Duncan Simester highlights a critical issue faced by many managers in large companies: a bias toward action over strategic thinking can range from Action Bias and lack of time. Strategic thinking requires a shift from tactical execution to broader, long-term perspectives. Insights which will aim to help with choices which align with the current needs is crucial. Amazon’s strategic insight, for instance, led to the creation of Amazon Web Services by combining computing infrastructure with e-commerce capabilities. It is usually based on customer needs, customer profile and an analysis of hypothetical scenarios. Embracing ambiguity is key for senior leadership, while validating every assumption is impractical. High performance strategic teams recognize and work through uncertainities.