Art of Strategy

The 3H Model is a simple yet powerful mental model that helps people think, feel, and execute better.   It is based on the three essential elements of effective leadership: head (thinking), heart (feeling), and hands (executing).    The head first leader is all about logic and reason. They make decisions based on what makes the most sense and they are always looking for ways to improve.    The heart first leader is all about emotion and connection. They make decisions based on how they feel and they always try to build strong relationships.    The hands first leader is all about action and results. They make decisions based on what will get the job done and they are always looking for ways to be more efficient.   The model asks you to consider which of the three elements is most important to you as a leader.    Are you a heads first leader who values intellectual rigor and strategic thinking?    A heart first leader who is driven by emotions and compassion?    Or a hands first leader w

Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or other precious metal.   As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.   In the West, we often try to hide our imperfections. We are afraid of being seen as broken or damaged. But in Japan, kintsugi is an art form that celebrates the cracks and imperfections in an object. It is a way of seeing beauty in something that has been broken.   Kintsugi can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition. It’s not the brokenness, but it is how we deal with our brokenness that defines us.    The Japanese believe that in order to truly appreciate the beauty of something, you must first appreciate its flaws.    The art of kintsugi dates back centuries, and it is said to have originated with a Japanese shogun who ordered his broken teacup to be repaired with gold. The result was a stunningly beautiful cup that was more valuable than it had been

Let me tell you a story about the famous Persian folk character, Nasruddin. One day, he was sitting under a tree when he saw a man coming. “What are you doing?” asked the man. “I am thinking of what I should do with my life,” said Nasruddin. The man sat down and told him his life story. Nasruddin listened to it carefully and then said: ‘You are not thinking of what you should do with your life; you are thinking of what your life is doing to you! You should be thinking about how to make your life happen!’ We are all drawn to stories. They give us hope, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. Great stories can change the world.  A story can be about anything - a personal experience, an event that happened in your life or someone else’s life.  It is said that a story can make you laugh or cry, but it can also make you think and learn something new about yourself or others.  Stories are powerful because they allow people to connect with one another through emotion and empathy which makes th

Strategy is not just planning, it’s transformation. A strategy is a plan of action, or a set of coordinated actions used to achieve a strategic goal.   Strategies are usually created to improve an organization’s performance. A strategic goal incorporates all the key elements of an organization's values and vision.   Strategy is at the core of an organization and without a good strategy, no performance will be achieved.   Strategic plans help organizations to reach their goals. These goals will be achieved when there is a good synergy between the different departments in an organization.   Different people have different working styles. For some, it is important to focus on the big picture, while for others, it is important to focus on small details.   A strategy is not only about planning but also about transformation, because transformation is what makes the strategy work.   Strategy is not just planning, it’s about people.   Successful strategy involves both analysis and action. 

  Strategy is a way to plan, preparation and action.    The discipline of strategy is what will bridge the gap between your vision and reality. Without it, you will be left with an idea that has no way to get to where you want it to go.    Strategy is what helps you explore all your options and decide on the best course of action for achieving your goals.   There are also many different ways you can use strategy, like in sports and business.  For example, in chess, a chess player needs to have a good strategy to win the game.   Your life is also like a chess game. Like in a game, your life is a puzzle. You will face different situations and needs, but a strategy will help you solve these problems.   Here are the two types of strategy:   1. Tactical strategy - The tactical strategy is the way you will manage to achieve the goal.   2. Strategic strategy - This strategy is how you will play the overall game of your life.   Here are some questions you can ask yourself when creating a strat

Leadership is not just about gaining followers. It is about gaining value.   Great leaders are great storytellers.   A leader is not a boss. A leader is someone who has the potential to inspire, motivate, and impact others.    A true leader teaches others about how to do great things and encourages them to explore their potential.    A leader does not just see people as merely assets to be exploited; a leader sees the people as assets to be transformed.    Leaders are the great storytellers who can turn the most boring stories into the most inspiring stories. They turn the mundane into magic, turning even the hardest of tasks into exciting adventures.    Great leaders are great storytellers because great leaders know how to tell a great story.    Leaders do not need to have extraordinary qualities. They only need the potential of extraordinary qualities.    Leaders are not born; they are made through great stories.    Here are some tips on storytelling:   1- Share inspiring stories fro

Creativity isn’t just for artists.   Creativity is something that everyone possesses. It is an inherent part of everyone’s being.   Creativity has many layers and aspects to it. Some people are more rooted in their creativity than others.   Creativity can be applied to different areas of your life. It can be at work or in your personal life.   The first aspect of creativity that you need to focus on is self-expression.   This means letting your creativity flow, without worrying about what other people will think of it.   The next step is learning how creativity can help you. Perhaps you would like to start a business, or a creative venture. One way to do so is to use your creative ideas.   You can learn how to identify the opportunities around you.    It’s all about learning.    When you learn, you usually learn something new. For example, you learn how to identify threats and opportunities.    You can learn how to market yourself.    You can also learn how you can better interact with