The Neuropsychology of Strategic Thinking

The Challenge: What do you do when you find yourself presented with a difficult problem or challenging situation? You know you need to determine a solution, but the best options might not be obvious. On top of that, the ethics may be unclear, and the consequences of your decision could have a wide-reaching impact. Most leaders, including those in healthcare, have faced situations in which they must use strategic thinking to devise the best solution to a problem or circumstance. How does that thought process begin?

Key Takeaways

Neuroscientists and psychologists are learning more about what happens inside the human brain at moments of decision-making. Gaining new insight into these dynamics and how they affect you and those around you can set a course toward more effective patterns of thinking and action.

In the right context, we are all capable of strategic thinking. The outcomes could be affected by internal and external variables, such as organizational structure, individual perceptions, or systematic thinking.

Consider these variables:

• What in your work, home, and relational environment adds to a negative cognitive load?

• What drains your energy?

• What enhances your sense of well-being?

• What increases your energy and inspires you?

The Bottom Line: Strategic thinking is a complex mental process that requires taking a broad range of information and synthesizing it in such a way that it allows us to accurately identify the needs of the moment and create solutions or strategies to meet those needs in a meaningful and significant way.

Adapted from The Neuropsychology of Strategic Thinking, part of the American Association for Physician Leadership’s online curriculum. More information about our educational offerings can be found at physicianleaders.org/education.

Access Brooke Albright’s podcast: www.soundpracticepodcast.com/e/your-game-plan-and-frontal-cortex-strategic-thinking-with-brooke-albright .