How can you demonstrate strategic thinking to your boss?
Strategic thinking is a valuable skill that can help you advance your career in public relations. It means being able to see the big picture, anticipate challenges and opportunities, and plan ahead for effective communication. But how can you show your boss that you have this skill and deserve a promotion? Here are some tips to demonstrate your strategic thinking in the workplace.
One way to show your strategic thinking is to align your work with the goals and objectives of your organization and your department. You can do this by understanding the vision, mission, and values of your employer, and how they relate to your public relations projects. You can also communicate your own goals and objectives for your role, and how they support the overall strategy. This will show your boss that you have a clear direction and purpose for your work, and that you can measure your progress and impact.
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Matt Strain
Making AI Accessible & Actionable for executives and their teams. ex-Apple, ex-Adobe.
Understand what is keeping them up at night and proactively develop a set of recommendations to address the problem. Better yet, just solve the problem. Don’t wait. Take the initiative.
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Dr Marsia Bealby
Innovative Leader 🎓 Management, Academic Leadership, Teaching in HE, e-Learning 🎓 PhD in Archaeology. 4 Master's degrees in: Archaeology, Museum Studies, Business, Public Relations. Ongoing MEd as a pathway to FHEA.
Highlight your efforts in building and maintaining strong relationships with media, influencers, and key stakeholders. Building and maintaining strong relationships is a crucial aspect of successful Public Relations.
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Bill Williams
Experienced across the spectrum of every stakeholder role in infinitely sustainable and prosperity-generating business models for all stakeholders.
Another way is using the power of empathy. Learn to understand your boss's perspectives, and find some part of that to illuminate that you can turn into a demonstration of his brilliant strategic thinking., and highlight how impressed you're going to be to learn how the boss is going to build on that. overlooked tidbit of "genius." Follow that by observing and commending (being impressed) by those actions that can become a base for further strategic thinking. Soon, the boss will start to enjoy a feeling of intelligent leadership as good ideas start building on the good ideas you've noticed. I've both used this and watched it work wonders with anyone with an ego.
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Hema Shekar
Digital Marketing Strategist with expertise in Digital activation and executing within the budget with a growth strategy
Also having a grid of how/when/what/why,with swot analysis is a best Proven process for strategic thinking. Which ultimately can give you a road map to accomplish thr objectives and Goals.
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Madeleine Féquière, C.M., ICD.D
Consul General @ Government of Canada | Governance | Leadership | Finance | Risks Management
Through Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks and devise contingency plans. Demonstrating an understanding of potential challenges and having proactive solutions showcases strategic thinking. Also through Resource Optimization Demonstrate an ability to maximize resources efficiently. This could involve budget management, time allocation, or leveraging existing skills within the team.
Another way to show your strategic thinking is to research and analyze the relevant data and information for your public relations campaigns. You can do this by using various sources and methods, such as market research, media monitoring, stakeholder feedback, and competitor analysis. You can also use tools and frameworks, such as SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, and SMART objectives, to organize and evaluate your findings. This will show your boss that you have a solid understanding of the external and internal factors that affect your public relations outcomes, and that you can use evidence-based decision making.
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Megan N. Freeland, PharmD
✍🏾 Helping pharmacists get paid to write health content ✍🏾 Health Content Strategist | Health Literacy Consultant | Medical Writing & Health Content Writing Coach ✍🏾
Much like marketing professionals build narratives and campaigns based on key insights, these insights can also be invaluable for communications professionals. One way to demonstrate strategic thinking is to identify insights and strategically build outreach strategies that map back to these, being sure to highlight for supervisors the rationale and critical thinking behind your process.
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Marie Conroy (MSc)
💢 Independent Communication Consultant, Corporate Writer and Editor 💢 Clients come to me for my strategic and practical communications advice 💢 Seeking part-time freelance opportunities 💢
I also recommend using that research to better understand the external landscape and what issues or opportunities could impact your organisation's objectives, not just your campaign objectives. By taking a bigger-picture perspective you'll demonstrate strategic thinking and enable your organisation to succeed.
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Janina Jacobs
Multimedia Golf Consultant, Speaker, and Advisor; Golf, Travel, and Business Writer/Editor/Proofreader; Professional Musician and Performer, Former Restaurateur and Television and Radio Golf Show Creator and Host
When writing my articles, I always talk to people who have done what I'm writing about, can contribute personal stories, or who have some type of experience in that area of expertise. You can quote facts and figures, but the human assessment is even more important - the 'been there and done that'. I use stats or research as a means to an end, mixing that info in with personal information. If you rely too much on stats, the message gets boring and people gloss over them, unless you apply them to something real. Of course, medical information and research are different - you need statistics and measurable information, but it still must be presented in a compelling manner.
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Animashaun Ahmed
Strategist| PR & Advertising Expert | Marketer| Copy Writer| Creative| Researcher & Data Analyst
Conduct a proper market research to better your strategy. A good strategy gets you a good percentage of your market. While there are loads of researchers who end up using the wrong approach in getting their data, it’s advisable the methodology or approach to adopt for a research is well suited for the goal. This is to ensure walking on the right path and avoid time wastage and energy.
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Bidhan Pokharel
Demand Catalyst @Traveality | Hospitality & Travel Tech
Conduct thorough market research, competitor analysis, and industry trends to identify opportunities and challenges. Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making and validate strategic choices.
A third way to show your strategic thinking is to innovate and create new and effective solutions for your public relations challenges and opportunities. You can do this by brainstorming, experimenting, and testing different ideas, approaches, and tactics. You can also use creative thinking techniques, such as mind mapping, SCAMPER, and reverse brainstorming, to generate and refine your ideas. This will show your boss that you have a flexible and adaptable mindset, and that you can think outside the box and add value to your public relations projects.
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Andrew Steane
North American Vice President, Business Management & AI
On their own, ideas are little more than a suggestion box. Ideas need to be critically examined and stress tested. Answer these questions: Why is this idea important? What impact will it have if you execute on this idea and what data do you have to validate your point of view? How will you execute this idea? Who does this idea involve and who does it impact? How long will it take to execute this idea? (Elapsed Time) How much effort will it take to execute this idea? (People resources) What financial resources are required to execute this idea? If you can propose ideas simply and you’re able to articulate the above clearly, you’ll demonstrate key elements of strategic thinking and your boss will appreciate the mental rigour you’ve used.
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Melorine Parsy
@SAPdaily, Discover. Learn. Upskill | SAP Learnings to help you improve your IT projects | LinkedIn Top Voices: Communication & Public Relations | Marketing & Media | 10+ years working with SAP
To demonstrate strategic thinking to your boss you need to show your ability to initiate innovation and bring strategic change. Here are the 2 key factors that will help you stand out as a strategic thinker: - demonstrate that you can use your knowledge to put new ideas into action. - execute an innovative project that shows that your understanding extends beyond your current function.
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Madeleine Féquière, C.M., ICD.D
Consul General @ Government of Canada | Governance | Leadership | Finance | Risks Management
Innovative Solutions: In my view, the ability to propose creative and innovative ideas that go beyond conventional approaches will certainly demonstrate a willingness to explore new avenues can highlight your strategic mindset. Another think that work for me is Cross-Functional Collaboration. Fostering collaboration between different departments could bring diverse perspectives together and lead to more holistic and effective strategies.
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Crosby Noricks
VP | CONSUMER PR @ BCENE // Certified UZAZU Somatic Practitioner (Business & Life Strategist, Agency Owners, Coaches & Creatives)
The best way to gain media attention is to do something newsworthy! This may mean actually creating or starting something new, ideally something that has a greater impact potential (and relevance) than one single company or product.
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Oliver Bergmann
CIO, CCO, Supervisory Principal
To impress your boss with strategic thinking, consider replacing your desk with a giant chess board. Each day, move a piece to represent a business decision. Bonus points if you wear a wizard hat and solemnly whisper, "I'm contemplating our next move." It's a whimsical yet profound way to say, "I'm strategizing." Just beware of the occasional checkmate from accounting!
A fourth way to show your strategic thinking is to collaborate and communicate with your colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. You can do this by building and maintaining positive relationships, sharing your insights and feedback, and listening to different perspectives and opinions. You can also use effective communication skills, such as active listening, clear writing, and persuasive speaking, to convey your strategic vision and goals. This will show your boss that you have a team-oriented and customer-focused attitude, and that you can influence and engage your public relations audiences.
A fifth way to show your strategic thinking is to learn and improve from your experiences and results. You can do this by reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses, seeking and giving constructive feedback, and identifying areas for improvement and development. You can also use tools and methods, such as SMART goals, action plans, and personal development plans, to set and achieve your learning objectives. This will show your boss that you have a growth mindset and a commitment to excellence, and that you can continuously improve your public relations skills and performance.
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Mohnish Kamat, MBA, CFA
Business Transformation Executive | Strategy & Execution | Corporate Development | Product Management | Global Wealth & Asset Management | Corporate & Commercial Banking
Understand profit pools in your industry: - while it is great to understand where demand is headed, its more important to understand where money is made in your industry - such profit pools allow you to position your strategy recommendations for maximum impact - and avoid pitfalls of areas which could bog down efforts for less that optimal earnings
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- Candice Lela ®
Award Winning Filmmaker
In the machine learning era, strategic thinking extends into continuous learning. Reflect on strengths and weaknesses, embracing constructive feedback. Utilize tools like SMART goals and personal development plans for focused growth. Demonstrating a growth mindset and commitment to excellence showcases an ability to enhance public relations skills continually. Echoing Steve Jobs' wisdom, staying hungry for knowledge isn't just about personal development but also sharing and teaching, fostering a culture of collective improvement within the evolving landscape of machine learning and strategic thinking to improve dynamically.
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Bidhan Pokharel
Demand Catalyst @Traveality | Hospitality & Travel Tech
Foster a learning culture by encouraging continuous skill development and staying informed about industry advancements. Regularly assess and evaluate the outcomes of implemented strategies, learning from successes and failures to refine future approaches.
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Oliver Bergmann
CIO, CCO, Supervisory Principal
Paint your strategic thinking like an Old Master. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses like colors on a palette, creating a masterpiece of self-awareness. Embrace feedback and transform each critique into a brushstroke of your composition. SMART goals are your canvas. Sketch your path with meticulous care. Each action plan becomes a delicate dab, contributing to the broader portrait of professional growth. In this gallery, you're both the painter and the curator, showcasing to your boss a gallery of continuous improvement. Each step in your journey adds depth to your portrait of excellence, proving that your commitment to learning is not just a splash on the canvas, but a thoughtful composition in the art of public relations.
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Richard Wild
Policy Consultant | Federal Government, Policy Analysis
Every day should be a learning experience. Every day you should seek to find something new, be better at something, teach someone a new skill, and challenge and be challenged in some area. Narratives from the Greek philosophers, Japanese commentary on bushido, reading Beowulf in its original, and testing those experiences against a problem set can be used to validate approaches. Pythagorean theory also holds an important place in policy development and impact. Understanding and articulating the function of the relationship between the three points helps the leadership group remain on message, sets strategic goals through achievable milestones, and avoids short-termism.
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Naveen Agarwal
Be aware of external markets and trends and how they are/will impact current businesses and operations! Use that to build up options and enable decisions.
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Madeleine Féquière, C.M., ICD.D
Consul General @ Government of Canada | Governance | Leadership | Finance | Risks Management
Another way is to Anticipate various scenarios and plan accordingly. Having contingency plans for different situations demonstrates foresight and strategic preparedness. Finally remember that strategic thinking is an ongoing process, and consistently applying these principles will reinforce your reputation as a strategic thinker
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Mike Schaffer
Executive Vice President, Content & Channel Strategy | Corporate Communications | Builder
If you want to show your boss how you think strategically, bring multiple solution paths to a conversation. Show why one is the most effective. Strategy is about options. Strategic thinking is about choices.
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Mohammed Doyo
Director of Planning, Partnerships and Investment @ Ewaso Ng'iro North Development Authority | PhD, Public Policy & Management
I make a habit of anticipating long-term company needs, asking thoughtful questions that consider wider strategic goals, providing creative solutions tailored to broader objectives, explicitly connecting one's project work to strategic priorities, and suggesting operational improvements—all to contribute critical thinking that evaluates options and furthers the organization’s key overarching goals. Additionally, I aim to translate strategic analysis into visible, value-adding contributions.
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Martin Ellingsworth
Be a strategic analytics innovator - Dig deep and quantify the magnitude not just the direction of a trend - Think “exogenous” for key sources of trend influence that are not in the mainstream mindset - Be right about something missed that matters, but explain “why” it is important ( not why you are important ) … contributing critical insights to problems or opportunities will make you seen as strategic in the value of your contribution.
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