What do you do if your continuing education efforts in Strategy aren't yielding maximum value?

1. Seek Feedback: Get insights from peers or mentors on areas needing improvement. 2. Explore Resources: Look for alternative learning materials or methodologies. 3. Practical Applications: Focus on applying learned concepts in real-world scenarios. 4. Target Weak Areas: Identify specific challenges and dedicate efforts to improve them. 5. Adapt Approach: Be flexible in your learning approach and experiment with different strategies until you find what works best for you.

Reevaluating goals involves: Review Existing Goals: Assess current objectives to determine if they align with your or your organization's evolving priorities and resources. Analyze Performance: Look at how closely your results match your initial expectations to identify areas needing adjustment Gather Feedback: Seek input from team members, mentors, or stakeholders for a broader perspective on what might need to change Identify New Opportunities: Stay informed on emerging trends or shifts in your industry that could influence your direction Adjust for Realities: Modify your goals to reflect new insights, constraints, or opportunities uncovered during your review Set Actionable Steps: Break down revised goals into tangible, measurable steps

Diving into strategic education without seeing results? Time to rethink those goals. Make them sharp and aligned with where you're headed professionally. Clarity is your friend here, steering you toward content that genuinely boosts your strategy game. Also, mix things up. If one learning style isn't cutting it, try another. Videos, podcasts, or even a new mentor can make all the difference. Remember, adapting and staying flexible in your learning can unlock the value you've been searching for.

An effective strategy course today must empower participants to challenge their thinking against new and emerging challenges. Does your approach adequately address these aspects, even if they are not your own convictions or necessarily those of your students? Learning to consider all possibilities is what a strategy course should impart. This requires shaking up old models, even while it remains useful to be familiar with them.

Always seek feedback when educational efforts in strategy feel lackluster. Chat with mentors or peers for fresh perspectives on your study path. They might highlight alternative resources or unseen gaps in your learning. This advice can shift your strategy for a better fit with both professional goals and personal development.

The Johari window is a powerful tool that I have used throughout my business career. There are four boxes in the Johari window. A) The Open Area represents aspects of yourself that you and others are aware of. Soliciting feedback helps expand your Open Area. B) Identifying Blind Spots is crucial for personal growth. Seeking feedback from coworkers and clients uncovers areas of improvement. C) The Hidden Area (your secrets) includes aspects known to you but not shared with others. Strategically sharing certain aspects, like hidden skills, could benefit your business. D) The Unknown Area represents aspects neither you nor others are aware of. Engage in self-reflection to unlock this box.

Seeking feedback involves: Identify Sources: Determine who can provide valuable insights—colleagues, supervisors, mentors, or clients. Be Specific: Ask focused questions to garner specific feedback that can guide improvements. Create a Safe Environment: Encourage open and honest feedback by making it clear it's for growth. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in the feedback given, without interrupting or defending. Thank the Giver: Show appreciation for their time and insights. Reflect and Analyze: Take time to process the feedback and identify actionable areas. Follow Up: Implement changes based on feedback and circle back to share how their input led to improvement.

Often feedback loops will show that people agree with the strategy as such and are generally aligned to a sufficient degree, but are 1) not sufficiently engaged and 2) struggle to put theory to practice. For greater engagement, relevance is key – demonstrate why practical application of the strategy matters to them, too (could involve anything outside the corporate bottom-line box, from community to personal benefits). For bridging the knowing-doing gap, use real-world case studies and simulations, using known and accepted metrics to demonstrate that and how it is relevant for the company plus the audience you want to align and engage.

To diversify learning: Mix Modalities: Combine books, online courses, podcasts, and seminars to cover the same topic from different angles. Cross-Disciplinary Approach: Explore subjects outside your primary field to foster creative thinking and innovation. Practice Hands-On: Engage in practical exercises, workshops, or side projects to apply theoretical knowledge. Use Technology: Leverage apps and online platforms for interactive learning experiences. Seek Mentorship: Learn from experts with diverse experiences and viewpoints. Participate in Groups: Join study groups or online forums to gain different perspectives. Attend Events: Go to conferences, webinars, and lectures on varied subjects.

Mixing workshops, seminars, or events with online courses can give strategy learning a fresh boost. Different formats and teachers offer new insights, making it easier to apply strategies in various situations. This not only deepens understanding but also expands the skill set in a fun, engaging way.

Based on my MBA strategy frameworks I have found it informative to apply them to industry or sector disruptors. Are the disruptors creating new business models or executing better generic strategies like cost, customer or innovation? Analysing other companies and their strategies can diversify your learning sources but keep them grounded in practical application.

Wisdom doesn't reside only in academic knowledge; it isn't solely in courses and books. A good conversation, empirical practice, and diverse experimentation can add a lot to the learning process. We also must encourage: -Continuous learning in the organizational environment -Create or find study groups oriented toward your goals and objectives -Discussing new learning with colleagues and other professionals making possible to discover new points of view -Using the Internet consciously and responsibly,following profiles that share relevant knowledge,always paying attention to the veracity of the information,can help us awaken to new niches of learning and interest -Read at least 1book per month to expand interests, perceptions,and knowledge.

To apply learning practically: Real-World Projects: Work on projects that require you to use new skills or knowledge in real-world scenarios Simulations: Engage in simulations or role-playing exercises that mimic real-life challenges Internships or Volunteering: Gain hands-on experience in your field of interest through internships or volunteering Peer Teaching: Teach what you've learned to others. Teaching is a powerful method to reinforce your understanding Create: Build a product, system, or process based on your new knowledge Experiment: Test out theories or techniques in controlled settings to see their effect Feedback Loop: Implement, gather feedback, refine, and repeat. Continuous feedback helps hone skills and knowledge effectively

In my experience, practicing strategic thinking everyday was really a key for a quick progress. Whenever I came into contact with anything that concerns strategy, e.g. pass by a shop/cafe or see a character in a TV show I would always try to evaluate their strategy with the following questions: what are they aiming to achieve? what is their competitive environment like? are they succeeding? What would I do differently to maximize the strategic outcomes? This type of mental exercise is always at your disposal and that way of seeing the world is truly eye-opening. You start noticing that strategy is everywhere and it is truly fascinating!

Finding the sweet spot between learning and doing can be tricky. Diving into real-world projects offers a unique chance to apply strategic theories. Whether it's at work or during a volunteer gig, look for moments to test out those concepts. This not only cements what you've learned but often throws up unexpected insights. Think of it as giving your education wheels, letting it take you places you hadn't anticipated. Always keep an eye out for these opportunities; they're more common than you might think and can seriously amp up the value of your learning.

Once people have been engaged/activated by demonstrating relevance, and have understood the desired or undesired real-life effects of acting or not acting on their interest and value system, assist people in transforming theory into practice. Consider a mentor system for the practical roll-out and implementation of the strategy, and showcasing of successful practical examples.

No wisdom is wisdom if it's not exercised and experienced. In the same way that no theory is sustained for long without practice, and no practice is better than that which produces a positive result for the common good. So exchange generously with your surroundings, make your practice effective. Help, test yourself on something true, that can bring surprises and real challenges to your knowledge. Helping to build a new community program, a new public policy, or offering guidance to young people are my favorite ways to practice and expand my own social impact on society.

Diving into strategy education often feels like a solo journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Hooking up with a mentor or joining a study group can shift perspectives and uncover blind spots. Also, mixing up learning mediums, podcasts, books, workshops—keeps the brain engaged and the content fresh. Remember, regular check-ins on learning methods can spark new insights, making the journey not just about gathering info, but truly understanding it.

Reflecting regularly is key to growth: Set Aside Time: Dedicate time daily or weekly for reflection to make it a habit. Ask Questions: Probe into what worked, what didn’t, and why. Consider how different actions might have led to different outcomes. Document Thoughts: Write down insights in a journal. This aids in tracking progress over time. Seek Feedback: Pair personal reflections with feedback from peers or mentors for a well-rounded view. Identify Lessons: Highlight key learnings and how they can apply to future situations. Set Goals: Use reflections to inform goal setting. Adjust strategies based on insights gained. Mindfulness Exercises: Practice mindfulness to enhance self-awareness, a key aspect of reflecting.

As experienced managers, we're very familiar with process mapping techniques whose advantages we've already learned to understand well. In the same way, we understand rationally and empirically the benefits of self-analysis, reflection and periodic realignment to make us more efficient and assertive in our strategies to achieve and establish goals and objectives. However, in a globalized, hyperconnected world, where the most recent scientific and technological advances have driven us towards a new reality, it's more than necessary to keep up with the acceleration and the constant demand for movement and transformation making adjustments and realignments more frequently, realizing opportunities in face of all evolution we've experienced.

Shifting gears in strategic learning can really open up new horizons. If something isn't clicking, swapping out content or trying a different instructor could be a smart move. Sometimes, stepping back for a breather helps sharpen focus. Keeping things fluid lets you adapt to new strategic insights and personal growth avenues without missing a beat.

- Review your goals/objectives - Review your execution Plan, Risks and Key Topics - Your Strategy must be Clear and understandable - Motivation, Persistency, Good Communication and Team work are essentials A Strategy must have a constant communication, simply language allowing the participation and contribution of all the employees involved. The employees must understand exactly which is the strategy of their organisation in order to implement successfully

Wanting to develop my strategic skills further I got this response. MBA no way! I was shocked my CEO would not support any part-time study by his senior managers. In a further discussion, my CEO revealed that he wanted my 100% focus as a key senior manager in the business and that studying for an MBA would mean that my daily performance would suffer. I agreed that if within 6 months my CEO noticed a reduction in my daily performance I would stop the course immediately. 6 months later my CEO said my performance far exceeded expectations. The lesson: Be prepared for co-workers who cannot see that a future benefit for the business cannot be achieved without sacrificing your current performance.

Several other factors can enhance the effectiveness of strategic education efforts. Cultivate a growth mindset, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. Collaborate with peers through study groups or online forums to exchange ideas and perspectives. Furthermore, consider the importance of balancing theoretical knowledge with practical skills development, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. By adopting a holistic approach, you'll harness the full potential of your strategic education journey. Let's elevate our learning experience !