When it comes to critical thinking vs. strategic thinking, the best way to explain it is to say that one is something you use while the other is something you do. The main differences between them are how far into the future they think, when to use them, and if one needs the other.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term
Critical thinking is short-term analysis while strategic thinking involves planning and looking at futuristic outcomes. Critical thinkers will use data at hand to fix an issue or figure something out while the strategic thinker will look at how that problem is part of a bigger issue.
To better understand how each one works, let’s use an example in chess. Some of the greatest thinkers have played chess and for good reason, but strategy overrides critical thinking. That’s because a critical thinker will think of the implications of the current move.
The strategic opponent has already planned 5 moves ahead and used critical thinking to map out possible scenarios. Critical thinking is always useful, but planning for what’s next is exclusive to strategic thinking.
The Book Metaphor
A good way to further break down the short- versus long-term concept is with a book. The grand-scheme strategic thinker will read a summary of each chapter and pass judgment on the book as a whole based on those brief descriptions.
The detail-oriented critical thinker will actually read each chapter and have a better understanding of characters and plot, which might influence a different decision.
Application
To identify the differences between critical thinking vs. strategic thinking, it might help to know when each one should be used. Short-term critical thinking is commonly used in academic-related things, like deciphering code or comprehension.
Strategic thinking is better suited for business and predicting outcomes, from marketing manipulation to product sales in a specific industry. You can use strategy to line up the proverbial ducks in a row before making a move for the desired outcome.
This is especially useful in management or leadership positions of any kind. In a boardroom, you use strategy to plan the best pitch. In a courtroom, you angle your position to fit the jury. Of course, one of the best comparisons between the styles of thought is war.
You May Have Won the Battle…
There are dozens of thoughts on critical versus strategic thinking, but perhaps the simplest way to understand it is like this: The critical thinker will win a battle because they’ll put their soldiers in the right places and use the exact weaponry needed.
However, the strategist will eventually win the war because they’ll out-maneuver their opponent. In fact, they might even lose a battle on purpose if it will give a false sense of confidence or open another route to victory.
Applied to the business metaphor earlier, the critical thinker will understand the product being sold and analyze all the user data but the strategic manager will know how to sell it to the consumers and investors.
One Without the Other
One of the most important things to understand is that critical thinking is involved in strategic thinking, but strategic thinking isn’t part of critical thought. While that is partly due to the fact that critical thinking is in the moment, it’s also because strategy is a toolbag.
With critical thought, the grand scheme doesn’t affect data or analysis so it becomes a means to an end. The manager in the example above uses the data collected by the critical thinkers to manipulate the room and use that data for their overall agenda.
You use critical thinking to solve a bigger problem, so you could think of it like a hammer and nails. You can use that hammer to fix a broken leg on a wooden chair, but the strategy is to have a seat at the table.
All of the future predictions and negotiations that take place are strategic, while the numbers and data that are compiled and analyzed are critical thinking.
Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
Keep in mind, though, that just because it doesn’t flow both ways you still want to use critical thinking when planning strategy. You might still arrive at the same goal, but critical thinking will help you make the best decisions along the way.
That’s because critical thinking can be just that: Critical. Strategic thinking takes into account all factors and makes a judgment based on what they think will happen, but it’s a vague approach unless directed by information obtained through critical thinking.
Especially when human nature is involved, critical thinking is paramount to make the best decisions. Statistical trends, past decisions, or interest in business ventures can all create an opportunity that would otherwise be missed.
To go back to the book metaphor earlier, a strategist with critical thinking will know the full scope of the book’s content and make the best-informed judgment. That’s why any critical thinker with ambition can move up into a strategic position if they put their mind to it.
How Can I Show Strategy As a Critical Thinker?
You may be wondering if being a critical thinker means you’re resigned to always being an analyst or number-cruncher as opposed to a leadership role. Not only can critical thinking be a tool for strategy, but it’s encouraged, so you can use that to your advantage.
With all of the knowledge, try to think how that data or information could affect larger change or bring about a new vision. Innovation and progressive thinking are, like critical thinking, sought after for positions of strategy so that’s a great step to take.
Since critical thinking is problem-solving, you can also suggest a better solution that might prevent future issues of the same kind. It’s still technically critical thinking, but the strategy of change crosses that line.
Final Thoughts
Strategic thinking is all about the bigger picture. You can use critical thinking in strategy, but the two differ in short- or long-term thinking and what field they’re most effective in. Remember to use one in the other and see yourself to victory in whatever you do!
References
https://www.headscratchers.com/Post_January_2017.html
https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-difference-of-critical-thinking-and-strategic-thinking
