In this blog post, I will cover the "Perception gap" in strategic thinking.
You can read the previous blog on Capability gap here.
There are some "Glimmers" that one displays that create the perception of one being a strategic thinker.
Brenda Steinberg & Michael D. Watkins in their HBR article titled '10 Ways to Prove You’re a Strategic Thinker' talk about the below characteristics that help create the perception.
Be Elevate perspective (Big picture)
Be forward looking (Future orientation)
Anticipate impact
Connect the dots
Simplify the complicated
Use analogies & metaphors
Stimulate strategic dialogue
Show you are informed
Practice strategic listening
Seek feedback
The highlighted items are at the core of being perceived as a strategic thinker. Each of these point to how effective you are in making a compelling narrative of your thought process and how you deliver it.
It starts with simplifying the complicated and using analogies & metaphors to structure your thought process before sharing with others. Once the thought process is structured, it needs socialisation/dialogue with the intended audience. Listening helps to co-create what works for the whole. Together it helps build the perception of a strategic thinker.
In the book 'Building a story brand', Donal Miller talks about how to express your thought in a simple story format as below which could be useful to get started with the whole process.
Picture courtesy: Readinggraphics
Where do leaders give up before bridging the perception gap?
When you think strategically, practice enough to curate the essence in the story format. I have seen many leaders go through story telling 'training' but can't convert their thought process to a story. So it definitely needs practice.
Once your story is in place, engaging others through listening & dialogue is key. Any strategic conversation will involve co-creation and hence time. So don't expect the results in just one meeting.
Perception is coloured by the perceiver using their belief systems. And belief change may not always be possible without the willingness of the perceiver. Just because one person can't perceive your capability does not mean everyone can't. Keep your efforts on!
What is the simplest action you will take to bridge the perception gap?
Reach out to me if you need to have an intelligent conversation around the above.
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