Become a great strategic thinker | Ian Bremmer

Summary

The transcript emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking as a form of meta-thinking that involves pattern recognition and understanding macro themes across various levels. It contrasts this with reactive thinking based on headlines and personal history. Strategic thinkers are curious, open to being wrong, and respectful of differing worldviews. They continuously revisit and adapt their worldviews to align with the changing world, preventing outdated perspectives. Nelson Mandela is highlighted as an exemplary strategic thinker, demonstrating moral courage and long-term vision for his country's future.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Strategic thinking is about meta-thinking, which involves thinking about one's own thinking and not just reacting to immediate news headlines.
• 🔍 It includes pattern recognition across various levels such as country, company, and individual, and understanding the trade-offs leaders face with different priorities and timeframes.
• 📰 Avoiding the trap of framing one's worldview solely based on recent headlines and instead questioning if there is any dissonant information that challenges existing beliefs.
• 🌐 The importance of continuously revisiting and updating one's worldview to adapt to the rapidly changing world, rather than sticking to outdated perspectives.
• 🧐 Strategic thinkers are characterized by their curiosity, openness to being wrong, and their willingness to engage with and respect different worldviews.
• 🌏 Recognizing that being born in different contexts, like the United States or China, leads to different but not necessarily opposing worldviews.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The comparison of strategic thinking to a gym workout, emphasizing the need for consistent practice and overcoming initial discomfort.
• 🤝 The value of engaging with people who have different stories and understanding that they are not villains, but rather heroes of their own narratives.
• 📚 The script highlights Nelson Mandela as an example of a great strategic thinker, who demonstrated moral courage, personal conviction, and a long-term vision for his country.
• 🌟 The idea that strategic thinkers are those who can humanize world leaders they respect, acknowledging that personal interactions can sometimes alter perceptions.
• 💡 The final call to action for businesses to learn from the world's biggest thinkers by subscribing to BigThink+.

Q & A

What is the definition of strategic thinking as described in the script?

Strategic thinking is described as meta thinking, which involves thinking about thinking, recognizing patterns, and considering macro themes at various levels to understand where the world is heading, rather than merely responding to daily headlines or news.

Why is it important to revisit one's worldview regularly?

It's important to revisit one's worldview regularly because the world changes rapidly, and to avoid becoming outdated, one must adapt their perspective to align with these changes. This helps in maintaining relevance and accuracy in one's strategic thinking.

What does the script suggest is a sign of un-strategic thinking?

Un-strategic thinking is indicated by an immediate response to headlines without considering how they fit into a broader worldview or if they introduce any dissonance, rather than critically evaluating and adjusting one's perspective accordingly.

How does the script define 'great strategic thinkers'?

Great strategic thinkers are characterized by their curiosity, openness, and willingness to be wrong and learn from it. They respect and engage with different worldviews, which can enhance their strategic thinking.

What is the difference between tactical and strategic thinkers according to the script?

Tactical thinkers may excel at following and confirming their existing beliefs, while strategic thinkers are more comfortable with exploring and understanding different or even opposing worldviews, which aids in developing a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Why does the script mention Nelson Mandela as a top global strategic thinker?

Nelson Mandela is mentioned as a top global strategic thinker due to his moral courage, personal conviction, and ability to prioritize the long-term future of his country over personal vendettas and immediate justice.

How does the script relate the process of strategic thinking to physical exercise?

The script compares strategic thinking to going to the gym, suggesting that it can be initially daunting but becomes easier with practice. Just as the body adapts to exercise, the mind adapts to engaging with different perspectives.

What does the script suggest is the role of curiosity in strategic thinking?

Curiosity plays a crucial role in strategic thinking as it drives individuals to explore different worldviews, seek understanding, and remain open to new information, which can lead to a more robust and adaptable perspective.

How can one's birthplace influence their worldview according to the script?

The script suggests that being born in a particular country, such as the United States or China, naturally influences one's worldview due to the cultural, social, and historical context of that place, without necessarily meaning the worldviews are opposing.

What is the importance of being open to different stories in the context of strategic thinking?

Being open to different stories is important in strategic thinking as it allows individuals to understand and accept diverse perspectives, which can lead to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of complex issues.

What does the script imply about the relationship between personal interaction and respect for world leaders?

The script implies that personal interaction with world leaders can humanize them, which might not always align with the level of respect one has for them. However, this does not diminish the strategic thinking displayed by these leaders.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Strategic Thinking Beyond Headlines

The first paragraph emphasizes the concept of strategic thinking as a form of 'meta-thinking,' which involves a deeper analysis of the world's trajectory rather than reacting to immediate news headlines. It discusses the importance of pattern recognition across various levels such as country, company, and individual, and the necessity to continually reassess and update one's worldview to adapt to the changing world. The speaker highlights the difference between immediate reactions and strategic thinking, advocating for curiosity, open-mindedness, and the willingness to be wrong as key traits of great strategic thinkers. They also stress the value of engaging with different worldviews to enhance one's strategic thinking abilities.

05:01

🌟 Nelson Mandela: A Model of Strategic Thought

The second paragraph focuses on Nelson Mandela as a prime example of a global strategic thinker, noting his moral courage, personal conviction, and the long-term perspective he took for his country's future. Mandela's ability to set aside personal vendettas for the sake of a greater vision is highlighted, along with the speaker's regret at not having met him personally. The paragraph also touches on the humanizing effect of personal interactions with world leaders and the importance of understanding and embracing different narratives as a path to becoming a better strategic thinker.

Keywords

💡Strategic thinking

Strategic thinking refers to the ability to think about the long-term goals and interests of an organization or individual, rather than just reacting to immediate events or short-term pressures. In the video, it is emphasized as a form of 'meta thinking' that involves pattern recognition across various levels such as country, company, and individual. The concept is central to the video's theme, illustrating the importance of not just reacting to current events but also considering the broader and future implications of decisions and trends.

💡Meta thinking

Meta thinking is the process of thinking about one's own thinking, often referred to as 'thinking about thinking'. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the higher level of strategic thinking that goes beyond immediate reactions to events and involves a deeper analysis of patterns and trends. The script suggests that meta thinking is crucial for developing a comprehensive worldview and for making decisions that are not just based on current headlines but on a broader understanding of the world.

💡Pattern recognition

Pattern recognition is the ability to identify regularities or patterns in data or events. In the video, it is mentioned as a key component of strategic thinking, where one must identify and understand the macro themes and trends at various levels to make informed decisions. The script implies that recognizing patterns is essential for creating a worldview and for understanding the complex interplay of different factors that influence leaders and their decisions.

💡Worldview

A worldview is a fundamental orientation of a set of lenses through which an individual, collective, or culture views the world and interacts with it. The video emphasizes the importance of revisiting and potentially revising one's worldview in light of changing circumstances and new information. The script suggests that a strategic thinker must be willing to question and adjust their worldview to remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world.

💡Trade-offs

Trade-offs refer to the process of balancing competing demands or interests, often involving the sacrifice of one value or goal for another. In the context of the video, trade-offs are discussed in relation to how leaders must navigate complex situations with multiple priorities, needs, and timeframes. The script highlights that understanding and managing trade-offs is a critical aspect of strategic thinking and leadership.

💡Curious and open

Being curious and open is described in the video as a characteristic of great strategic thinkers. It involves being receptive to new ideas, even those that challenge one's existing beliefs or understanding. The script suggests that this trait is essential for strategic thinkers to grow and adapt, as it allows them to learn from diverse perspectives and to consider a broader range of possibilities.

💡Admitting wrong

Admitting wrong is the act of acknowledging one's mistakes or errors in judgment. The video script highlights this as a quality of strategic thinkers who are willing to recognize and learn from their errors. It is tied to the idea that being wrong is a natural part of the learning process and that strategic thinkers must be comfortable with this to continually refine their understanding and strategies.

💡Different worldviews

The concept of different worldviews is discussed in the video to illustrate the importance of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives. The script uses the example of being born in different countries, such as the United States or China, to explain how one's worldview can be shaped by their context without necessarily being in opposition to others. This concept is integral to the video's message about the value of engaging with diverse viewpoints in strategic thinking.

💡Tactical thinkers

Tactical thinkers are individuals who excel at short-term planning and problem-solving, often focusing on immediate goals and outcomes. In contrast to strategic thinkers, the video script suggests that tactical thinkers may be less inclined to question their existing beliefs or to consider long-term implications. The term is used to differentiate between those who are reactive and those who take a more comprehensive, long-term approach to decision-making.

💡Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is mentioned in the video as an example of a global strategic thinker. He is praised for his moral courage, personal conviction, and his ability to take a long view on values and ethics for the future of his country. The script uses Mandela as an example to illustrate the qualities of a great strategic thinker, particularly his willingness to put aside personal vendettas for the greater good and his focus on long-term outcomes.

Highlights

Strategic thinking is a form of meta-thinking that involves thinking about thinking, rather than merely responding to immediate headlines or news.

It involves pattern recognition across various levels, including country, company, and individual, and understanding the trade-offs leaders face with different priorities and timeframes.

Strategic thinkers should not rely solely on immediate reactions to news but should consider how new information fits into their existing worldview and identify any dissonance.

Creating a worldview involves questioning what would change it, prioritizing certain aspects, and revisiting it as the world changes, which is crucial for strategic thinking.

The importance of being open to change and not becoming complacent with one's current worldview, as the world moves on and perspectives can become outdated.

Great strategic thinkers are characterized by their curiosity, openness to being wrong, and their ability to engage with different worldviews.

Strategic thinkers should respect and engage with opinions and analyses that are different from their own, fostering a broader understanding.

The distinction between being born in different countries like the United States or China and how it shapes different but not necessarily opposing worldviews.

The challenge of following those who confirm one's prior beliefs versus the strategic thinking required to engage with differing perspectives.

The process of strategic thinking is likened to physical training, where initial discomfort leads to long-term benefits.

The importance of breaking down internal barriers to understand that different stories do not make one side villainous, but rather just different.

Nelson Mandela is highlighted as an example of a global strategic thinker with extraordinary moral courage and personal conviction.

Mandela's ability to put aside personal vendettas for the long-term future of his country demonstrates strategic thinking in values and ethics.

The narrator suggests that engaging with the world's biggest thinkers can provide further insights into strategic thinking.

An invitation to subscribe to BigThink+ for more learning opportunities from leading thinkers.

Transcripts

(contemplative music)

- Thinking strategically is meta thinking.

It's thinking about thinking.

It is not responding to headlines.

It's not what CNN wants to talk

to me about on any given day, or Fox News.

It is instead trying to think about, for me,

where the world is heading.

That means pattern recognition,

lots of different macro themes at the country level,

at the company level, at the individual level,

and how they create trade-offs

in leaders that are affected frequently by many of them,

but have very different priorities, needs, and timeframes.

It's very easy to say, okay, I just saw this headline,

and I have a large amount of personal history

and data, and that will allow me to immediately

frame what I think that means,

where I should place it in my existing worldview,

and is there any information there that's dissonant?

That is completely un-strategic thinking?

Strategic thinking is, what goes on outside of that?

It is how do I create my worldview?

What would change it?

What are the pieces that I prioritize?

What are the ones that aren't so important?

Why do I prioritize them that way?

Does that make sense today?

What's changed in the last 10 years or 20 years?

The world changes so quickly,

and yet people don't revisit their worldview nearly

as quickly as the world changes.

And yet, of course, you should revisit your worldview

on a continual basis, not because you were wrong,

I mean you may have been wrong,

but much more likely is, you had some level of rightness.

You weren't analytically wrong.

The world moved,

and if you are not moving, you're gonna become wrong.

I mean, one thing, any analytic view will become wrong

over time, and strategic thinking, I think,

at its base is an effort to prevent that from happening.

(contemplative music)

Great strategic thinkers are curious and open.

They are fine with being wrong,

admitting that they're wrong,

talking about what that means, and moving on.

They're also people that are very curious

about different worldviews.

People that have respect for worldviews

and opinions, and analysis that are dramatically different

from their own, and that engage with them,

those are people who tend to be good strategic thinkers.

I don't necessarily say opposing worldviews,

because worldviews don't need to be opposing.

They just need to be different.

I happen to be born in the United States,

and that of necessity gives me a worldview of that context.

But if I same human being happen to be born in China,

would that give me an opposing worldview?

No, I would be the same person,

I'd just have a different worldview.

People that are much more comfortable

simply following folks that confirm their priors

may be outstanding tactical thinkers,

but are not good strategic thinkers.

Of course, this is not easy to do.

I mean, it's kind of like going

to the gym.

The first time is daunting.

Once you do it every morning,

stopping doing it would feel daunting,

but you have to actually build up that training,

that practice,

and it takes time because your brain doesn't like it

when you start engaging

with things that you don't agree with.

It finds it unnerving.

But if you do it enough, and you start breaking down

your own internal barriers to say, no,

it's not that I don't like this person.

It's not that that opinion turns me off.

It's just that they come from a different story.

They're not villainous, right?

The fact that you're Israeli

or Palestinian doesn't make the other person wrong,

they're both heroes of their own stories,

they just have different stories.

If you are prepared to understand, accept,

and embrace that,

then you tend to be a better strategic thinker.

(contemplative music)

Nelson Mandela would probably be at the top of my list

in terms of global strategic thinkers.

He is not only someone of extraordinary moral courage

and personal conviction, he also is someone that recognizes

for the long future of his country that he needed

to put aside personal vendettas,

and even the desire to meet out immediate justice

in order to ensure

that his country had a future.

He took the long view on values and ethics,

and human development in a way

that very few political figures really do.

My only regret is that I never had the opportunity

to meet him personally.

Maybe that allows me to lionize him more, because a lot

of world leaders who I have a lot of respect for

that I've spent a lot of time with personally

do become more humanized in ways

that don't always comport with how much you respect them

once you've spent time with them.

That's not always true, but it's frequently true.

(contemplative music)

- [Narrator] To learn even more

from the world's biggest thinkers,

get BigThink+ for your business.