Learning to Think Strategically

In Learning to Think Strategically, author Julia Sloan presents a previously unexamined account of the relationship between strategic thinking and the learning process involved ― taking learning from the academic to the everyday. This book is an original primer on how successful strategists learn to think strategically. This authoritative book traces the history of strategy, differentiates strategic thinking from planning, describes the influence of culture, streamlines the roles of rationality and intuition, and identifies five key attributes for learning to think strategically. Learning to Think Strategically asserts that learning is the critical link to strategic thinking. Learning is a "conversion tool" that can transform thinking strategically into a sustainable competitive advantage.

Business/Human Resources

Learning to Think Strategically

Julia Sloan

Sloan has written a superb book that should be on the required reading list for every business school. It offers a compelling argument to avoid over-reliance on linear thinking, formal planning rituals and simple exhortations to think out of the box , in favor of a process that results in truly innovative strategic thinking. Sloan is exceptionally clear in her analysis of the underlying drivers of this process. She makes an important contribution to understanding the development of breakthrough business strategies.
Willie Pietersen, Professor, The Practice of Management, Columbia Business School

Julia Sloan lays out in a comprehensive manner how strategic thinking can be learned. Therefore, this is a must read for all organizations and executives who genuinely consider human capital as not only a valuable asset but the most significant competitive differentiator in today's constantly changing and extremely challenging global arena.
Raj Tatta, Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP

This book opens new horizons to strategy development by including intuition, cultural and social dimensions in the decision making process. It contests conventional logic as the core strategic discipline, and instead, integrates the important "soft" aspects of a successful strategic thinking approach. Based on her trans-cultural business experience, Dr. Sloan combines sound research, a critical discussion of standard strategic literature, and a sensitivity for the complexity of strategic thinking. This book offers a new perspective for both students and business executives and is an indispensable roadmap for everyone willing to learn strategic thinking.
Karl Nigl, Former CEO, Raiffeisen Ware, Austria AG

Julia Sloan s book offers convincing evidence that sharp strategic thinking is not a miraculous gift of a few but a complex, multi-faceted process, which can be learned systematically. In an increasingly competitive business environment where the ability to develop distinct, adaptive strategies is a basic requirement for success, this book is highly recommended reading for students, executives and consultants interested in a new, comprehensive approach to strategic thinking.
Marcus Sieberer, Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc.

In Learning to Think Strategically, author Julia Sloan presents an unexamined account of the relationship between strategic thinking and the learning process involved taking learning from the academic to the everyday. This book is an original primer on how successful strategists learn to think strategically. This authoritative book traces the history of strategy, differentiates strategic thinking from planning, describes the influence of culture, streamlines the roles of rationality and intuition, and identifies five key attributes for learning to think strategically. Learning to Think Strategically asserts that learning is the critical link to strategic thinking. Learning is a "conversion tool" that can transform thinking strategically into a sustainable competitive advantage.

Julia Sloan is founder of Sloan International, an executive development firm in New York, NY.