Seeing the Intersection: How Better Questions Lead to Better Strategy

(Illustrative Only)

Tikaani knows a lot about
being an executive and
strategic decision making. 
He has learned much
from fishing. 
If you want to catch more
fish you need to research 
the lake, fish, environment,
contour, depth, current,
bait, etc. and once 
he understands and
discoveres the right fishing hole
he fills his quota.

We learn from the natural, 
theoretical, and practical.

Strategy is more than guesswork or reacting to what seems popular in the moment. Complex problems require careful understanding, and rushing to conclusions without fully grasping the issue often leads to costly mistakes—especially in organizations or large systems like communities or countries, where the impact compounds over time.

From an organizational perspective, markets constantly shift—consumer preferences evolve, competitors adapt, and trends emerge. While it may feel safe to follow the herd or mirror what other companies are doing, lasting success often comes from differentiation. Innovation, when paired with thoughtful strategy, creates opportunities that competitors may overlook.

A strong strategic approach begins with asking the right questions. This includes analyzing competitors, reviewing relevant research, and considering broader factors such as market conditions and consumer sentiment. When these elements are examined together, patterns begin to emerge. Each data point suggests a direction, and where those directions intersect is often where the most effective strategic decisions can be made.

Organizations that fail to fully analyze these dimensions risk becoming misaligned. This creates opportunities for others to gain a strategic advantage by taking a broader view and thoughtfully comparing alternative perspectives. Entering a situation with assumed answers instead of informed questions can lead to poor decisions—affecting performance, investor confidence, returns, and employee well-being.

Consider this study, 

(Illustrative Only)

Looks like the investment
strategy might be 
pointed toward Delta 
County. 

A Strategic Mindset: An Orientation Toward Strategic Behavior During Goal Pursuit

• A “strategic mindset” refers to a person’s tendency to ask themselves questions like “What can I do differently?” or “Is there a better way?”, which helps trigger effective problem-solving strategies.
• Individuals with a stronger strategic mindset are more likely to use metacognitive strategies such as planning, monitoring progress, and adjusting their approach.
• These strategies are linked to improved outcomes, including higher academic performance, better goal progress in areas like health and career, and improved task performance.
• A strategic mindset is distinct from traits like grit, self-control, or general intelligence—it uniquely predicts how people approach challenges and apply strategies.
• The research shows that a strategic mindset can be developed or induced, meaning people can be trained to think more strategically and improve goal achievement.

Chen, P., Powers, J. T., Katragadda, K. R., Cohen, G. L., & Dweck, C. S. (2020). A strategic mindset: An orientation toward strategic behavior during goal pursuit. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(25), 14066–14072. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002529117