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A Guide to Strategic Thinking:Principles, Teachings and Tools

Date: 18th September 2025
Venue: “Virtual” platform delivery

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Building an understanding of what strategic thinking is and the key tools and techniques that support and build competence in strategic thinking.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand what strategic thinking is and how it can help you in your organisation
  • Learn about the differences between strategic thinking, strategic planning and policy
  • Identify and build awareness of the key competences in strategic thinking
  • Understand the importance of networking, stakeholder engagement and communication in strategic thinking
  • Understand how to use a range of tools and techniques to aid strategic thinking and strategic planning
The Institute of Leadership

The Institute of Leadership has approved this training course. The Institute combines years of research, knowledge and innovation to champion the leadership agenda for alL and since 1947 they have carried out extensive research into the knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours and values of great leadership. Based on The Institute's core leadership values, this course meets the standard that enables learners who have completed to access the following benefits:

  • Membership of The Institute of Leadership will be in receipt of an ICPS/The Institute joint Certificate of achievement for the course
  • Access to a raft of resources to help you with your continuing professional development, including an award-winning library of e-learning content
  • A community of over 70,000 members worldwide enabling you to collaborate and grow your knowledge and skills
  • Receipt of weekly news updates, podcasts and cutting-edge research and a monthly published journal and invitations to topical webinars
  • Authorisation to use approved letters AMInstL (Associate Member of The Institute of Leadership) after your name for business correspondence

Programme

09:30 BST
Zoom session opens
10:00
Welcome and Introductions
10:15
Session 1: Setting the Context: Strategy and Strategic Thinking
  • Differences between strategic thinking and strategic planning
Session 2: What does a Strategic Thinker do? (including Break)
  • Mandate, external drivers for change and possible futures
  • Tools to help explore external drivers and possible futures
  • Vision, Mission, Values and Objectives
Session 3: Challenges to Strategic Thinking in the Public Sector
  • Challenges
  • Public Sector v Private Sector
  • Open Policy Making
Lunch Break
Session 4: Strategic Thinking Tools and Techniques
  • Including: SWOT, McKinsey 7S, Fishbone Analysis, Mind Mapping and Six Thinking Hats
  • Risk
Break
Session 5: Strategy and Change
  • Key models including Kubler Ross Curve
Session 6: Strategy, Networking and Engagement
  • Networking
  • Stakeholder Analysis
  • Engagement
16:15
Discussion and Questions
16:30
Close

Please note that the programme is subject to change without notice



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Comments & Views

"It was a really great day. It refreshed my learning on some points but I also learnt about new concepts / tools and I really found it beneficial that the information was presented in a practical context and illustrated with real life examples that prompted interesting discussions with my fellow course attendees. Thank you."

Social Work England

"I thought the course was really interesting and that the trainer managed to get through a great deal of material. His delivery was excellent - really clear and engaging."

Standards Commission for Scotland

"The programme was excellent. Very relatable to my job and I could see how I could put some of this to immediate use to address concerns about a project I've been asked to sponsor. The trainer was excellent and the session was delivered extremely well. Maybe as good if not better than face to face learning."

Department for Work and Pensions

"Well organized and sufficiently interactive."

Joyce Connell, Ministry of Justice

"Really good course to raise awareness of strategy development."

Mark Richardson, Generic Distribution System

"I am walking away with a rich set of tools and methods"

Ofgem

"I found the course to be very insightful and great to hear examples. The trainer was very engaging and gave good insight to different techniques."

Hope for Tomorrow

"Despite this being a long day online, the trainer had a great delivery style which held attention. He also gave us comfort breaks and 40 mins for lunch. All in all an excellent course, full of valuable insights which were well explained and evidenced throughout. All delivered at a realistic pace, not rushed, with humorous interjections and anecdotes to bring sessions alive with real-life examples."

HMRC