This is the ability to stand back and see the big picture. It is an important skill if you are responsible for completing a project or you have to manage a group of people to reach a goal.

The first step is to think about what you are trying to achieve. You must consider different ways of getting where you need to go, choose the best way forward and set out some milestones, or interim goals, along the way. You must then plan how you are going to reach each of these milestones.

Strategic thinking sometimes takes courage. If other people have lost focus on what they are doing, you may have to pull them back and redirect their energy.

 It is quite rare to have to use strategic thinking in your first job. You are more likely to be managed by someone else who is thinking in this way. However, if this is something that appeals to you, look for a job where there is an opportunity to move on to a management position.