You may have seen this; it has been making the rounds this week on the internet:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. …. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; And maybe it was my fault. He was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.”

A very sad take on who we are as a society. However, there are bright spots here and there. In some businesses, there are those who still believe. http://buswk.co/qrJcf1 Here’s a CEO employing the tried and true common sense of Peter Drucker. I know it’s only one in many thousands, but at least it shows that common sense may not be dead. Thriving? No – but he’s up and taking nourishment!

Let’s not glue the back of our hands to our foreheads with the “woe is me” mantra. It really does sully the memory of Common Sense – he deserves to live and we are the ones responsible for seeing to it that he rises from the ashes.

What do you think? Is Common Sense dead and gone? ♦ Ruth

(BTW, there are situations where 2 of the stepbrothers are good boys. For example, “I know my rights” – a good thing to have when falsely accused of something (which happens more frequently than you think). “I Want it Now” – is the right thing when the QB says I play to win and I want it now. However, “Someone Else is to Blame”, and “I’m a victim” are definitely the evil twins.)

Strategic thinking is a way to examine the choices we have when trying to achieve what we want. It means being prepared whether the outcome is positive or negative. Strategic thinking requires us to consider the elements, potential, and effects of our approaches, and to examine each with a critical eye. It also requires that we be clear about our endgame, and that we identify and focus on what is really important

While strategic thinking is primarily an intellectual effort, instinct is a key element to a successful strategic approach. Instinct isn’t something that can be taught, but it can be sharpened

Chess is the ultimate example of strategic thinking. Before any move is made, each competitor plays out in his mind all the consequences of any move he may make. He must also think of all the options his opponent has, both in the short and long term, what affect his move will have on those options, and what options he will be left with after his opponent makes his move. He also has to have a sharp and trusted sense of what his opponent might do.

While Chess is very complicated, what I am suggesting here is not. It is a process that allows us to think more deeply about what we really want, how we need to achieve it, who we need to include, and most important of all – what happens if we don’t get it. Being prepared for a success is one thing, being prepared for a negative response is another. What do I do if…?” should be asked before action is taken because an honest answer may require that you rethink everything else.

Once you know your objective, there are three key questions that will help you to think strategically. Creative and effective answers require using both your mind and your instincts.

1. What does a successful outcome look like?

2. Who will be affected by this change?

3. Am I prepared to LOSE?

When you have examined the possibilities, you will be better prepared to handle pushback, argument, or even failure. Strategic thinking, coupled with instinct, allows you to anticipate reactions and outcomes. If you have put yourself through the process honestly, you should not be caught off-guard.

Coaching can help you develop your skills for strategic thinking and for sharpening your instincts. Think about it.

I suggest reading.Thinking Strategically: The Competitive Edge in Business, Politics, and Everyday Life, by Avinash K. Dixit and Barry J. Nalebuff, WW Norton & Company publishers.

And, the antithesis of strategic thinking, Moby Dick by Herman Melville. A brilliant example of obsessive thinking outmatched by instinct!