Let me tell you about a moment that really stood out for me during one of my programs. It provided the perfect metaphor for how I see the process of learning and mastering the art of strategic thinking.
The story is about a participant's lightbulb moment mid-way through a Strategic Thinker Development Programme. We were in a coaching session working through the strategic thinking framework applied to a challenge he was working on in his role. I’m not even sure what triggered the moment, but out of nowhere, he exclaimed, "I'm getting it! [pause… sound of cogs turning...] Do you know the term 'bunkai'?"

Being unfamiliar with martial arts jargon, I answered “no!”, and my participant, a student of Japanese martial arts himself, went on to explain this sudden insight and the metaphor that had struck him. He explained that 'bunkai' is a Japanese term referring to the disassembly and analysis of martial arts movements for the purpose of learning and mastery. The idea is to break down the specific components and techniques within the movement, in order to grasp each move's purpose and functionality. Understanding the parts prepares practitioners to reassemble these techniques seamlessly, and with a deeper understanding, leading them towards true mastery.
Crafting Strategic Thinkers
The idea of ‘bunkai’ beautifully captures what I strive for when teaching my clients strategic thinking and uncovers the common alternative to this very aware and conscious type of thinking. Much like with the process of gaining 'bunkai' in martial arts, we disassemble the strategic thinking framework, inspecting each component, in order to build towards a more cohesive picture of our strategic thought process. Imagine it like piecing together a puzzle. We meticulously evaluate each piece, and figure out its role. Once each piece is clear, we connect them, stepping back to see the complete picture.
Embarking on this journey of learning the strategic thinking framework is a process that requires trust—trust in me to guide learners through what can feel like a chaotic, daunting wilderness, wondering, "Will this come together?" That’s what was happening for this senior leader. Just prior to this moment he felt rather jumbled in his thinking as the threads and chains of thought tumbled over each other in his mind. But as he grasped the meaning of the individual parts of the strategic thinking framework, allow him to understand how they fit together. Once he had that deep understanding of both the parts and the connections, he cried “Eureka!” (not literally 😂).
It’s important to realise that the process of learning strategic thinking isn’t just academic study; it involves understanding through application. That’s the thing with learning a new thinking process. Thinking is far too theoretical and abstract to just study a framework (yet many try this method). You have to actually think about something to really see how it works. And you need an expert sounding board during that process.
In martial arts, the breakdown of movements leads to functional flow, performed with deliberate awareness. It equips practitioners to execute moves confidently and adapt them to various contexts. This metaphor for strategic thinking resonates because, when broken down, strategic thinking components become second nature. It's not just about reacting to decisions; it’s about owning them with confidence. These lessons allow my participants to move beyond doubt and uncertainty, becoming those who genuinely think strategically. Witnessing these connections develop is immensely rewarding. It’s exciting to see their confidence grow as they start to own their strategic thinking.
When I teach the strategic thinking process to teams, the effect is the same – but it is amplified, as long as we get each member to the point of ‘bunkai’. When each member can visualise their thinking process, the conditions are prime for rich and focused strategic discussions. Individual mastery of strategic thinking is exciting enough on it’s own, but collective mastery and a shared language is next-level powerful.
The bigger idea at play – and the very common alternative
Being strategic isn't about controlling chaos or finding the ‘right’ answers — the world is too complex and unpredictable for that. Rather, it's often a messy journey. Beyond the need for silver bullets and ticked boxes (which usually produce strategies that sit in a drawer and influence nothing), there is a bigger goal when learning to think in a truly strategic way. This bigger idea is that you're essentially learning to think about your thinking—a new experience for many, given that we're rarely taught to scrutinise our own thought processes.
When I talk about learning to think strategically by breaking down and being aware of both the components of the thought process and the way they fit together, what I am really talking about is the ability to think about your thinking. And the alternative? I like to describe it like ‘having everything in one bucket in your head’ – I find a lot of people can identify with this. But the key is, people are often not even aware of the bucket or the things in it. They are just using their own unexamined thinking process to come up with the strategies that ‘feel’ the best. The alternative to ‘bunkai’ then, is thinking without thinking. It is the martial arts moves of an amateur. Even a very well-practiced one can be unaware of what he or she is unaware of.
A journey, not a sprint
Reflecting on my programme’s evolution, I've learned that strategic thinking isn't an overnight fix. Apparently learning to master martial arts isn’t either! Early on, I realised I couldn't cover it properly in a few half-day sessions, which is why today's program spans weeks and for some clients who take the time, even months.
Seeing participants put it all together and thrive in the real world makes the commitment worthwhile. It’s a journey—one that’s rewarding for both them and me, as the dots connect into something that flows seamlessly.
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