How does one become a strategic thinker? There is no definite process in molding strategic thinkers but over the years, experts have identified qualities that define a strategic thinker.

Strategic thinkers have visions. They do well in coming up with strategic purposes and developing visioning processes. One can say that strategic thinkers are sharp visionaries. Strategic thinkers are also lifelong learners. They use their experiences to better understand and evaluate strategic issues. They always try to continuously improve in everything that they do.

Strategic thinkers know how to manage their time efficiently and effectively. They give importance to time and they can be thought of as strategic time management masters apart from being visionaries. Strategic thinkers have high levels of awareness when it comes to the things, opportunities, and changes that occur around them. They are also open to absorbing as much information as they can. They are receptive even to the subtlest internal and external clues which they can use as guides to the direction that they might take in the future. These clues also help them detect concealed opportunities. Strategic thinkers, being masters of time management, take in all these information and give time to evaluating them so they can plan for next steps, and work on issues and challenges that might lie ahead.

Strategic thinkers are patient. They understand that strategic thinking is about long term plans and goals, and not about today, tomorrow, the day after, or next week. They also have clearly identified goals that are subject to frequent evaluation. It is important that strategic thinkers review their plans and objectives regularly to check if they are in-line with the overall strategy of the business. Reviews and evaluations also enable them to foresee twists that might keep them from achieving their goals.

Strategic thinkers are open-minded. They do not place limits on themselves by frequently giving opinions on their thinking while they come up with ideas. They keep their minds open and they make assessments of the details after they have carried out such plans. In being open-minded, it is important to note that strategic thinkers are also realistic. They have pragmatic approaches in generating ideas and they are honest about the things that they deem feasible in the longer term. Being open-minded and realistic at the same time help ensure and facilitate higher probabilities of delivering success. It is often said that strategic thinkers give few promises but deliver lots of results.

Strategic thinkers are able to recognize the fact that they are not all-knowing. They humbly seek advice and perspective from others. They work with others to have a grasp of what they think and how they think.

Of course, strategic thinkers are not robots. They know that they have to take time out for themselves occasionally. The competitive world can burn them out, so it is important that strategic thinkers get some time off to relax so they can bounce back and start thinking strategically again.