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    Brain Circuits

    Are you ready now? A strategic thinking test for leaders

    by Michael D. Watkins Published September 18, 2025 in Brain Circuits • 4 min read

    Strategic thinking is a critical leadership capability, yet leaders often avoid really going there out of fear for what the future might bring. Take this assessment test to gauge your readiness, and check out the practical steps on getting started

    Strategic thinking readiness assessment

    Rate yourself on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) for each statement:

    Statement

    Rating (1-5)

    I regularly set aside dedicated time for strategic thinking and planning. 

    1    2    3    4    5

    I feel comfortable dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty in decision-making.

    1    2    3    4    5

    I actively seek out diverse perspectives when considering future scenarios.

    1    2    3    4    5

    I regularly read about trends and developments outside my immediate industry.

    1    2    3    4    5

    I can balance daily operations with long-term strategic planning effectively.

    1    2    3    4    5

    I’m confident in my ability to identify potential future challenges and opportunities.
    1    2    3    4    5

    I regularly engage my team in strategic discussions and planning. 

    1    2    3    4    5

    I’m comfortable acknowledging what I don’t know and seeking input from others.

    1    2    3    4    5
    I have a clear process for turning strategic insights into action plans.
    1    2    3    4    5
    I regularly review and adjust my strategic assumptions and plans.
    1    2    3    4    5

    Calculate your total score 

     

    What your score says about your strategic thinking capability:

    40-50 Strategic thinking champion

    You excel at strategic thinking and are well-prepared for future challenges.

    30-39 Strategic thinking emerging

    You show strong strategic thinking skills with room for further development.

    20-29 Strategic thinking developing

    You’re building foundational skills and awareness; continued practice will strengthen your mindset.

    10-19 Strategic thinking beginning

    You’re at the start of your strategic thinking journey; more focus and practice will enhance your readiness.

    Steps to get started

    Start small and smart

    • Schedule just 15 minutes of focused strategic thinking daily. It could be reviewing industry articles and trend reports or simply reflecting on an open-ended ‘what if’ question about the industry. Small doses add up.

    Engage your team

    • Don’t think strategically in a vacuum. Introduce a discussion of ‘future trends’ into regular team meetings. Get diverse input on “What could change for us in two years?” Create brainstorming spaces where strategic discussion isn’t limited to your C-suite office.

    Use support tools

    • Dedicate a whiteboard, shared digital document, or segment of a wall to capture emerging questions and possible responses. Seeing strategic thinking as an ongoing process makes it less daunting.

    Build capability

    • Attend a workshop, watch an online course, or listen to a few targeted podcasts related to scenario planning, risk analysis, or strategic innovation techniques. Learning new information builds capability and confidence.

    Foster a culture of curiosity

    • Reward questions, acknowledge when you don’t have an immediate answer, and emphasize collaboratively seeking insights over always being the ‘source’ of answers. Let your team see vulnerability as a leadership strength in service of strategy.  

     

     Key takeaways

    Strategic thinking is a fundamental leadership capability. It isn’t about predicting the future – it’s about being prepared for whatever the future brings. By acknowledging your fears and moving past them, you can position yourself to develop this crucial skill set.

     

    Further reading

    Why leaders don’t engage in strategic thinking

    Five ways to unlock breakthrough ideas

    How to harness the power of nonmarket strategy

    10 Strategies for Leading in Uncertain Times

    Authors

    Michael Watkins - IMD Professor

    Michael D. Watkins

    Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD

    Michael D Watkins is Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD, and author of The First 90 Days, Master Your Next Move, Predictable Surprises, and 12 other books on leadership and negotiation. His book, The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, explores how executives can learn to think strategically and lead their organizations into the future. A Thinkers 50-ranked management influencer and recognized expert in his field, his work features in HBR Guides and HBR’s 10 Must Reads on leadership, teams, strategic initiatives, and new managers. Over the past 20 years, he has used his First 90 Days® methodology to help leaders make successful transitions, both in his teaching at IMD, INSEAD, and Harvard Business School, where he gained his PhD in decision sciences, as well as through his private consultancy practice Genesis Advisers. At IMD, he directs the First 90 Days open program for leaders taking on challenging new roles and co-directs the Transition to Business Leadership (TBL) executive program for future enterprise leaders, as well as the Program for Executive Development.

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