Strategic Thinking - The Objective part 2

An objective we had was to take a small business of 10 people in Minneapolis and turn it into a national company with offices in specified, highly targeted cities.


When we were at a key point in launching the Washington DC office, we had an employee who said very improper things to me about our company at a client site.  My initial reaction was to fire the guy on the spot.  However, the objected was that we had some key accounts we had to fulfill in order to keep the revenue coming in.  I needed that employee to do that work at that point in time.


The objective kept me from reacting and doing things that would hurt me and forced me to create a tactical plan for replacing that employee.  Once we had the plans and people to replace that person we were able to move the team on with a higher level of morale and better workmanship.

The lack of this principle is often seen in negotiations.  People loose sight of the objective and get carried away with the emotions of the moment.  Haven't you ever negotiated with your child.  Emotions run the show.

The first step in strategic thinking is to understand what the objective or goal is for your enterprise.

As a former Infantry Army officer the first thing we have in strategic and tactical planning of an operation was to understand what the objective was of both the commander and the commander two levels up.

From there we can come up with our own strategies and action plans to accomplish the commanders intent. 

The objective was never to just go out, find and kill the enemy.  In fact most military strategy will teach you is to try to accomplish the objective in as peaceful a way as possible.  When I oversaw my unit we were trained to operate behind enemy lines.  That was NOT the place we wanted to engage in a head to head battle.  Instead, we would work with stealth to seize the objective without the enemy even knowing we were there or knowing too late.  

If you can accomplish the objective, in a military setting, without firing a single shot you conserve your resources and personnel.  In a business setting, the toughest time to sell to an account is when you are head to head with a competitor.  The best is when you can come in without your competitors knowing you were there.

This reserves both morale and resources for the next objective. 

So the first step in strategic thinking is to CLEARLY and SIMPLY define your objective.

Strategic Thinking - The Objective

Most people think reactionary.  Few think strategically.  

Reactionary thinking is often a result of not applying the lessons learned in the blog series (September 2010) on controlling the mind.  

A strategic thinker understands how other people think.  They understand how other people react and most importantly they understand how to trigger peoples choices.  This skill enables a strategic thinker to move an organization in the direction it should go or to influence people that need influencing.

Strategic thinking can be applied in more ways than just military operations.  It can be applied to working with:

1. Children
2. Spouses and extended family members
3. Employers and employees
4. Clients
5. Competitors
6. Partners
7. Donors and Charitable Organizations

 The First strategic principle is to really understand what your objective is.  I know, I know.  You think you already know your objective.  I bet you may not.

For example, most business owners think the objective is to be profitable and make money.  Most married people think the objective of their marriage is to be happy and share life together.  Parents think their objective is to raise good kids. 

That is like the Eisenhower going to FDR with his plans for D-Day and telling the president that his strategic objective is to win the war.  Too many battles have been lost due to unclear objectives.  Vietnam is a GREAT example.  These are all primary aims -not strategic objectives.

Many people go through life without clear and concise goals and objectives.  This is one reason why goal setting is so important to the achievement of ones aspirations, calls, or destinies.

Before entering negotiations; before arguing with a loved one, know what your objective is.  From there make sure it is clearly and simply defined.  Strategic Objectives are measurable.  When I reported to my commander, after an operation, I knew if I had accomplished the objective or not.

This is a simple lesson yet it is the simple things we most often neglect.  We value the more complicated.  It seems that if something is complicated and difficult we think it is the "hidden secret."  Yet this "return to the basics" concept is the foundational step in strategic thinking. 

In the next blog entry I will show you how this is done in combat and how it dramatically expanded our business.

Strategic Thinking - Humble Audacity

Strategic thinking is like driving a car- everyone thinks they are a great driver when few really are.  Most really do not understand it.  Of those who understand it, fewer yet apply it to daily life and business.

As a former Infantry Officer I was schooled and schooled- drilled and drilled on strategic thinking.  I had to oversee 35 men who's lives would be on the line in combat if I failed in my strategic thinking.  One of my favorite training exercises, my strategic thinking was so unique, I earned an immediate promotion.  My platoon of 35 had to hold a hill against 2,500.

I will share with you some principles I applied then and apply today as I take a small 15 person company to have offices around the country in a down economy.

The mindset to take forward through our discussions of strategy is Humble Audacity.  You won't find this principle in any army manual and some may even disagree.

"Surely Patton and MacArthur were not humble," some might say.  Maybe.  But maybe not.

After all my military training, experience, and studying of people like Sun Tzu in The Art of War, the great Samurai statistician Miyamoto Musashi in The Book of Five Rings, and Carl von Clusewitz in On War I see a simple trend of victory I call: Humble Audacity.

Many people confuse Audacity with Arrogance.  They are not even connected.  The opposite of Audacity is not Humility.  Humility is the opposite of Arrogance.

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, "Arrogance" means:  "having...an exaggerated sense of ones' own importance or abilities." When a commander thought too highly of their capabilities, when they displayed pride, their enemies often stroke at their unseen weakness and defeated them.

Strategically, Humility means to have a sober understanding of your opponents capabilities.  If you think your enemy is tougher than he/she really is, and you plan to defeat the more difficult opponent you created in your mind you will win every time.

The New Oxford American Dictionary says that "Timidity" is "to show a lack of courage or confidence.  You can have superior resources but if you are scared to use them you will be defeated.

Audacity is "The willingness to take bold risks." 

As you look at strategic thinking for your family, your life, your business, your negotiations, or your goals think "Humble Audacity."   Have a clear understanding of what you have and what you don't have.  Have a clear understanding of the opposing forces.  Then be audacious!!!

My Grandchild is expected to be born on my birthday

SIDE BLOG ENTRY: 

I just found out my first grandchild is expected to be born on my birthday!!  How many grandparents get that kind of news?

Life really is a blessing.  This summer I have been to the funerals of a niece that was 16 and a 34 year old wife of a close friend.  The first left behind grieving parents and siblings.  The later left behind a young child and husband.

Not a single day is owed to us.  Each day is what we make of it.  I know this is not new to any of us.  Yet it seems that the most simple and basic principles in life and success are so quickly pushed aside in the tasks and hurried life style we seem to lead.

Take a moment to appreciate those around you.  Take time to appreciate yourself and the life you have.

Until next time...

Transform Your Mind: Transform Your Life #8

Speak about your hopes.  Speak about your dreams.  Speak about your goals. Speak about the person you want to become.

Here is the promised 30 day plan that will dramatically change the way you think about yourself and the things around you.

Day 1:  Spend 15 minutes asking yourself who you would like to be (not have)  in 10 years.  As yourself questions in the following areas:  spiritually who would you like to be?  Intellectually?  Physically?  Emotionally? Relationally?  Financially?
Day 2:  Write out two sentences in each area that are in the following format for each of the areas listed from the first day:  "I am ...."  Present tense and positive.  Not "I  am not..."  "I am..."  For example I am an intellectual genius who loves reading and learning."
Days 3-7: Read the twelve statements to yourself, OUT LOUD, with emotion, with your hand on your heart.  This will incorporate you audio and kinetic learning and reprograming.  Emotions drive the statements deep into your inner being.
Day 8-14:  Continue declaring the statement but add one new declaration in one of the areas each day.
Days 15-21:  Continue the declarations.  You will start to notice that old thoughts will pop up that are contrary to your declarations and you have felt foolish during the first 14 days.  By day 15 you are starting to believe your declarations and you can mentally reject negative, contrary thoughts to your declarations. 
Days 22-30:  Have fun with this and continue declarations.  Add more statements that are relevant to the person you want to become.  You will now have the internal strength to reject comments made by your friends that are contrary to your declarations.  You will notice some relationships that are contrary to your declarations. 

After running through the 30 day plan, post what changes you saw or felt.

Transform Your Mind: Transform Your Life #7

The last mind trigger to look at is:  What you say.

Some would argue that what the mind thinks starts the process of what you say.  At times this is true.  However, the opposite is also true.

I have a close relative who is the most gifted construction worker I have ever met.  When I am next to him working I've noticed that EVERY time he hits his thumb with a hammer or has some type of accident he immediately says, "You dummy!"

When we talk he is convinced he more stupid than smart.  Yet he is highly kinetically brilliant.

When I bought a franchise I had to go to Canada to spend a week in training.  The CEO spent the first two days talking about the concept of speaking to yourself each day about what you want to think about.  Some call it affirmations.  Some call it declarations.  The masses think it is a worthless concept.  Yet I find that many highly successful people practice this concept.  A great book to check out that goes more into detail is Secrets of the Millionaire Mind.

I have gone through major wins and major losses in my life.  This concept has dramatically helped me keep my mind in the game. 


What are the voices saying in your head?  What do you verbalize to yourself? 

In my next entry I will give you a 30 day plan that will change your attitudes and concepts about yourself and your capabilities.  Your confidence will be OFF THE CHART.

Transform Your Mind: Transform Your Life #6

The trigger we are discussing is "What you Listen to."

Discussions with our friends starts our mind down a track.  That doesn't mean you cannot change the track it's on.  However, we often go down a track for a while before we realize we could be thinking on healthier topics.

There are three levels of discussion topics.  Ask yourself which level do you listen to the most?

1. The lowest level is talking about people.  It is easier to talk about people than anything else.  We read magazines and watch shows telling us about people.  I've noticed more people want to talk about the bad in others more than the good.  Yet even if all you talk about is the good in people, this is still the lowest level of discussion.
2. The next level of thoughtful discussion is talking about events.  This could be current events or events at work.  This requires a little more thought and exercise for the brain.  
3. The highest level of discussion is talking about concepts.  Conceptual discussions push the mind to ask questions.  The mind explores when it talks about topics, theories, and logical or illogical arguments.    

What kind of conversations do you listen to?  What kind do you start?