On Strategy : What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/management-philosophy

Introduction

### Course Review: "On Strategy: What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1" on Coursera **Overview** "On Strategy: What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1" is a thought-provoking course offered through Coursera that seeks to bridge the gap between traditional business management and philosophical wisdom. The course underscores the importance of rigorous thinking in leadership, reshaping the way managers approach strategy in a rapidly changing world. The central theme revolves around the idea that creative thinking is not just about being imaginative, but about the quality of the thinking itself. **Course Highlights** The course is structured around a series of lectures that cover pertinent concepts related to strategy and decision-making. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect: 1. **The Forgotten Half of Change**: This lecture emphasizes that effective strategy is deeply anchored in leading change. The dual nature of change—perception versus reality—is dissected to reveal how our understanding of these dynamics can influence decision-making. 2. **How do we Think?**: Participants are encouraged to critically analyze their own thinking processes. It’s not enough to take action; profound reflection is required to reshape perceptions and approaches. 3. **On the Shoulders of Giants**: Engaging with historical philosophical ideas allows managers to see the interconnectedness of thought and their implications on contemporary strategy. 4. **Mental Models and Perception**: This lecture offers a recap while introducing key definitions necessary for understanding how we create and utilize mental models. Utilizing practical examples, including optical illusions, learners gain insight into cognitive biases and their impact on judgment. 5. **Eureka or Caramba?**: Here, the course dives into the necessity of change as an imperative for survival. It argues for a blend of creativity and rigor, highlighting that both can coexist in a strategic framework. 6. **Thinking in New Boxes**: This final lecture focuses on creating innovative frameworks for approaching strategy, coined as the "five new boxes," aimed at preparing managers for upcoming challenges. **Why You Should Take This Course** For professionals and aspiring leaders looking to refine their strategic thinking, this course is an invaluable resource. Here are a few compelling reasons to enroll: - **Philosophical Foundations**: It encourages managers to think beyond data and metrics, engaging deeper cognitive processes that can lead to more holistic and informed decisions. - **Practical Application**: The course provides frameworks that can be directly applied to real-world business challenges, enabling participants to become more effective change-makers. - **Critical Thinking**: In today's fast-paced environment, the ability to analyze, redefine mental models, and navigate cognitive biases is crucial—this course cultivates those essential skills. - **Diverse Perspectives**: By examining historical philosophical perspectives, learners are exposed to a range of ideas that can inspire creative problem-solving. **Conclusion** "On Strategy: What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1" is not just an academic pursuit; it’s a practical guide for modern managers looking to elevate their strategic thinking. Through engaging content and insightful wisdom from great philosophers, this course equips participants with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of change and leadership. I highly recommend enrolling in this course if you are looking to rediscover the art of thinking and want to harness philosophical insights to refine your strategic approach. Whether you’re a seasoned manager or new to the field, the lessons learned here can resonate throughout your career, making it a worthwhile investment in your professional development.

Syllabus

The Forgotten Half of Change

This lecture will discuss how strategy is mostly about leading change. New ideas are required because the world of tomorrow will be, again, different. And we need to remember change has two faces : perception and reality.

In the first lecture, we’ve seen that if we want to change the world, we have to act. And if we want to change our perception of the world, we have to think. So now… it is time to think about the way we think !

For this third lecture, I invite you on a journey in the world of past ideas. Six guides will show us how they shaped this incredible world where everything is connected.

After a short recap, we will agree on four key definitions necessary to understand the rules of thinking. Thanks to a lot of examples, optical illusions and brain treasers, we will see how we build and how we use mental models.

Heraclites is definitely right, status quo is not an option, change is a must. The only alternative is either to lead the process, or to be a victim of the process. We will also understand why paradoxically creativity and rigor are good friends…

As I told you from the very first minute, philosophers don't claim to be right, they hope to be helpful. This sixth and last lecture is dedicated to you, strategists. We will see how to build the five "new boxes" we need to achieve the next big thing.