Consider the future and learn from the past

- To be a strategic thinker, … you can't just consider the present, … the day-to-day in front of you. … You have to take stock of the future … through evaluating trends … and identifying possible scenarios, … and interpret the past so you can learn from it. … Here's how to master both skills. … When it comes to the future, of course, … no one's foresight is perfect. … All you can do is guess. … But with practice, your guesses can become … far more nuanced and informed. … One important element is recognizing … both macro trends that will impact society, … maybe the rise of driverless cars, or 3D printing, … and micro trends that will impact … your industry specifically. … Most people don't bother to seek out … this kind of big picture information. … They're content to just do their job, … and are surprised when disruption happens. … But if you stay on top of trends, you won't be surprised. … In fact, you'll be far ahead of others … because you'll have had years to strategize and adapt, …