Become a great strategic thinker | Ian Bremmer
Your mind is a software program. Here’s how to update it, explained by global political expert Ian Bremmer.
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Political scientist Ian Bremmer highlights the importance of strategic thinking, which he defines as "thinking about thinking." It's a process that involves analyzing macro themes, recognizing patterns, and understanding how different factors (at the country, company, and individual level) create trade-offs for leaders.
Strategic thinking isn't so much about responding to headlines or current events as it is taking a long-term view, one in which you're continually revisiting your worldview and updating it when necessary.
Being open-minded and curious about different perspectives, as well as comfortable with the possibility of being wrong, are important parts of the process. As an example of a great strategic thinker, one may cite Nelson Mandela for his ability to set aside personal feelings for the good of a country's long-term future.
Bremmer is the founder of Eurasia Group, an organization that for 25 years has been using political science to help investors and corporate decision-makers better understand how politics impact risks and opportunities in foreign markets.
0:00 Strategic thinking
2:35 Key qualities of a strategic thinker
5:02 A strategic role model
6:17 Summary
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About Ian Bremmer:
Ian Bremmer is president and founder of Eurasia Group, the world’s leading global research and consulting firm, and GZERO Media, a company dedicated to providing intelligent and engaging coverage of international affairs. Ian is also a frequent guest on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, the BBC, Bloomberg, and many other television stations around the world. Ian has published ten books, including the New York Times bestseller Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism which examines the rise of populism across the world. He also serves as the foreign affairs columnist and editor at large for Time magazine. He currently teaches at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and previously was a professor at New York University.
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A.G.I Will be man's last invention
Who Me? Deleting things to gain things, so to speak? Why Think when you can act, why act, when you can become?
Make a video then talk 😅
Anyone who's economical with the truth in regard to the Russia-Ukrainian conflict loses all credibility. There are far too many Hannah Arendt uttering inanities
The Market have been suffering over the past month, with all the three indexes recording losses in recent weeks. My $400,000 portfolio is down by approximately 20%, any recommendations to scale up my returns before retirement will be highly appreciated.
For the average person, the strategies are fairly demanding. In actuality, most professionals who have the necessary expertise to pull off such trades effectively carry them out.
Yes, I've been in constant touch with a Financial Analyst for approximately 8 months. You know, these days it's really easy to buy into trending stocks, but the task is determining when to sell or keep. That's where my manager comes in, to help me with entry and exit points in the industries I'm engaged in. Can’t say I regret it, I’m 40% up in profits just in 5months with my initial capital of $160k.
I do not really know a lot about the market, but based on what little understanding I do have of supply and demand in the economy, now is the best time to enter the market. The only thing preventing me, however, are the steady price fluctuations, which shouldn't be a problem. However, I really need an advisor, can yours help?
@@Erickruiz562 One of the fiduciaries I deal with is Jennifer Lea Jenson. Just check the name. There would be a letter with the necessary information to set up an appointment.
One of the fiduciaries I deal with is Jennifer Lea Jenson. Just check the name. There would be a letter with the necessary information to set up an appointment.
I’d love to see big think become a podcast that dives into these things in hours long discussions
That might lead to lots of checks and balances, but ironically, I think it would not lead to an oversight that would produce, the best quality control product.
Would be heat
They already have a podcast but I don’t think they have posted in a couple years
Agreed
yeah, they can have a podcast which has entire length talks, and continue to post videos like these
- Recognize patterns across macro themes to anticipate future trends [0:42]. - Regularly challenge and update your personal worldview in response to a changing world [1:52]. - Embrace curiosity and openness to improve strategic thinking skills [2:39]. - Engage with diverse and differing worldviews to enhance strategic thought processes [3:13]. - Build the habit of considering opposing perspectives, much like a workout routine for the mind [4:03]. - Understand and accept that different backgrounds lead to different, but not necessarily opposing, worldviews [3:23]. - Strive to see others as protagonists of their own stories, fostering empathy in strategic considerations [4:54]. - Learn from strategic thinkers like Nelson Mandela, who prioritized long-term values and ethics over immediate gains [5:07].
There might be an economical turmoil but there is no doubt that this is still the best time to invest.
Best time to invest? thats funny though because in the last four months I have lost more than $47,900 in stock market which is the biggest I have loss since I ventured into stock investment.
you could be right or wrong . i once had similar problem but now its a different ball game for me because I was lucky to have met KATRINA VANRENSUM , a financial manager and stock expert, I have made more than $165,000 in 6 weeks under her supervisions
Search her name on the web you will see all you need to know about her.
Thanks for the info . Found her website and it really impressive
@@dorissteve912 exactly those are past investments. A current investment now will yield more as will your past investments return to base eventually just how it works
Strategic/Critical thinking is all about asking the question why. So it has a lot to do with curiosity, but not necessarily has to do with excelling at any specific work. As a student, I’ve always hated school because they never taught me why I should study a specific subject. For example, I’d rather learn what mathematics is used for before learning 1+1=2. As a critical thinker, I have a tendency of trying understand the big picture, like how things work. If I don’t have it, I will never be passionate in doing what I’m doing. I need to know the purpose, and that’s when the real work begins. It’s also why I’m always watching youtube clips on quantum theory and general relativity, documentaries about space although I don’t understand any of it. I watch these to figure out why I exist from the first place, let alone my 9-6 job.
DITTO!
Totally agree with the take. Teacher or lecturer needs to emphasize the importance or vitality or such subjects in advance if they want to instill a seed of curiosity within students' mind. If not, how did they expect us to see the end goal of whatever we're trying to learn right here? and how did they justify that things will stay the same if the end goal itself isn't clear for the students? how can they miss such important stages of teaching without any reasonable justification? I firmly believe to start such changes is to bend those teachers or lecturers mind into understanding the core essence of students being able to understand the end goal of said subjects.
Not everyone needs a big picture
Except it's more like 8am-6pm job. But yeah.
True dude !
Nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking about it. -Daniel Kahneman
It's when you don't have the time to think about it, that the prior thinking becomes valuable.
@@VioletWander I think you’re right! 😅
What?
@@VioletWander Can you elaborate more on that concept please? I'm having a hard time to understand it. Thank you!
@@farrashafizh741 A good place to start is one of Kahneman's books: "Thinking, Fast and Slow"
The key to strategic thinking is understanding the goal we want to accomplish or the problem we want to solve. It may sound easy, but it's not. Rather than writing my goal as it is, it's crucial to understand “Why” I want to achieve my goal. Plan wisely!
This philosophy was my game changer.
Can you give me an example?
@@roghibfakhriLet's say your goal is to start a business understanding the "why" (motivation) behind it could be reasons like financial freedom or a urge to solve a specific problem in a market, by knowing your underlying motivation that can guide your decision-making, and help you stay committed when facing challenges, which ultimately makes achieving your goal more attainable.
Too much thinking. My goal is simple. Peace. Breathe in, breathe out.
Thank you for putting this into words for me. How to connect to those around me has been a challenge and the words are what I need to figure it out. Thank you.
Brilliant strategist Col. John Boyd, once said, "He who can handle the fastest rate of change survives." He's the man who created the OODA Loop which is an acronym for Observe-Orient-Decide-Act.
John Boyd definitely knew what was up when it came to strategy. I learned a good bit just by studying his mental frameworks.
oh, nice acronym. there's also AAA which stands for Act Assess Adjust
this type of content centers me and reminds me who I truly am. Everytime i feel like i've deviated from what makes me, me, I find myself returning to here.
Didnt know that 6 minutes can be so insightful , definitely changes my world view, in the sense that info cant be conveyed effectively in short form videos, this one changed it. Definitely reading your book.
As an MA design educator, this is a good summary of the way we think about considering the direction or travel of society and the world. Our students designing buildings and space need to design for at least 2 or 3 years into the future - the whole conception of thinking needs to have a strategic view or speculative framework for imaging the situation in a few years time and being conscious of what will shift the current context.
I get what you are going for here, and I love the thought process but I am sorry, there has never been a new building built where someone sees it and goes “ugh, that is so two years ago” maybe 10 but not 2-3
@@rktsnail fair point and not incorrect...though my point stands that design is for the future not the present
@@global_nomad. I for sure agree with that and hadn’t thought of it. Very interesting to think about the endeavor of architecture as one very much related to the future. Never looked at it that way
What is a "MA design"?
@@TokyoTaisu Its a postgraduate degree - Master of Arts (MA) in the design field - I work in interior and spatial design, from a background in architecture
I had lunch with Nelson Mandela during college and he was amazing in person as well. He had such a peaceful presence. It was profound just being in the aura of someone’s who stance & strength has been credited with helping undo apartheid.
Mark Twain -" The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." -I can only think of this quote after watching this 6min masterpiece
Ok. I was around 8 when I learned about the biology of reproduction. Don’t remember the exact day though. It doesn’t seem so important.
You know you are watching a good video when you dont feel like losing your time. There is much useful advice in 6 min. By the way great video!
What a time to be alive 👌🏾
This is GREAT! I identify with this way of thinking - it helps me to understand the me in me a little bit better, helping to understand my insatiable curiosity about everything since I can remember is a good thing even tho' I've felt like a dodo many time in my life.
Excellent discussion and insights on the topic. Thank you!
I would like to extend my deep gratitude towards Sir Ian Bremmer for this wonderful guidance.
When I heard Ian Bremmer mentioned about Nelson Mandela, that had brought me back in time to March 1997 when Nelson Mandela was visiting Singapore. I was walking towards the building ready to start my work and from a distance I could see our Late Former Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong was showing Nelson Mandela around the building. That moment was a golden opportunity and an unforgettable experience for me. I would never have expected that opportunity shown up in my reality.
Good summary and clarification of the topic
This is the clearest video I've ever seen to understand something
Best explanation so far.
I really appreciated short and down-to-earth presentation on a complex subject. Thank you!
Be open and analytic, embrace learning from being wrong.
Pure genius!! Great ingsights🙌🏻
People are like electricity in that they almost always take the path of least resistance. As such people find themselves usually "reacting" to situations being unable/apathetic to take note of the world around them so as to see "patterns" emerge and plan ahead to avoid possible entanglements. In other words people are loathe to "critically think" unless placed in a situation which leaves them no choice - which coincidentally is usually when it is too late. So to "train your mind" you must be willing to make the effort to do so. Note what I said: "train" your mind. Do not fall into the trap of circular reasoning whereby people assume things are real and hence true because of course they choose to believe it = and because they choose to believe it - things must be real and hence true..........and round and round they go basing their world view entirely upon their subjective desire to believe a thing while ignoring all "outside" evidence which may not conform to that underlying desire. Such singular ascribing of purported validity based only upon personal belief is the great red flag of ideological fanaticism - and it is antithetical to critical thought. 🤔
this was exceptionally good ! thank you Ian.
Strategic thinking is intrinsic to holistic management. Holistic decision making is a means of crowd sourcing and integrating diverse perspectives. It requires that we have no ideological biases in the toolkit to allow us to choose what is most context appropriate. Lastly, it acknowledges complexity's implication of management context as a moving target and part of planning requires implementing and maintaining feedback loops through monitoring context assuming that we are drifting off course (rather than presuming we are on course until evidence becomes unavoidably obvious) to avoid confirmation bias and allow for early, proactive and subtle course correction.
Having lived on three different continent sure helps see globally. I'd recommend that to anyone that has a chance to do that. Nationalism must not be the top priority either. We are all humans.
Absolutely. We have far more in common than we have in differences. To a wise alien on-looker, the various nations of Earth would probably look like a bunch of foolish siblings bickering away over nothing.
Wow, I love thi. Really good insights and it encourages me to be engage in more strategic thinking
Strategic thinking is a way to think and plan systematically to make decisions that align with long-term goals and objectives. This is what I learned from my life coach, Lisa Haisha, who has helped me to succeed in my life goals and overcome problems along the way. This video is very informative.
Hi there, can you give some examples for me for better understanding? Thankyou 😊
It is more about seeing all the sides of the matter. The steps, the nature of the problem, the process, the chemestry , the others perspective, look true their eyes perspective, than is the dillema "what does this contain in it " it is a BDS. I just invented and acronym. Break down structure, critical thinking.
is there a way to get the uncut interview ? great video btw
I've always said... better to have a strategy... than a plan 😉👍
And what’s the difference?
what?!?!?!
@@emmanuelezenwere plan probably means static set of actions and strategy general rules to follow to archive actions
@@Ant3_14 well said!
@@emmanuelezenwere plans are deterministic, whereas strategies are responsive They both share an end goal But strategies can re-route, when things don't go to plan
Thanks, this is excellent. I’ll come back to this for reminders to check my worldview 💪
Very insightful!
Thank you for the useful video
I personally enjoy discussing topics with people that differ than i. Sometimes it's tiring if the other person isn't self aware and lacks interest in intaking different world views to enhance their own.
Did anyone else get distracted by "Why is he in front of a screen when the background he has is actually quite nice?"
Thanks...I see what you did there.. appreciate it 🥰
Yes indeed, he explained very well in advance so we better understood the thinking.
Thank you Ian Bremmer! Big Think indeed!!
Love Ian Bremmer. So thoughtful ❤
Strategic thinker is understanding the goal and making best ways to achieve the goal. Understanding the big picture and making plans for the future . while thinking about the strategy action he should be curious and open. If the strategy is made is should be revisted again after certain time
Think at Blue Ocean framework. It take many years to get to know the whole world, who was behind, what puropses they had, who had to come out, with what inputs and outputs they were , with what offers, who is going to be considered next alliance, what was the treatment-agreement, who benefit out of that, what is the future purpose and how to cut the chain value. Who try to keep in stagnation- they have no place around your business. That is strategic do it, not say it. Show it afterwards. And if u did not do it well, than leave. There is no 2 "ended heads" chance. If you did not make it right from first time-than you dont try second time. Because you lost your moral values with shakes, lies, and no one wants such parteners. That was the thinking to be exposed.
Great content!
Awesome video!
What a brilliant to learn from this video
Awesome. Thank you 👍
Travel is the best way to learn about and experience different world views, and to gain a deep understanding of the global perspective
Or find the people who travelled to your community.
and yeah that's how I fell in love with this channel
Excellent, so you would be able to tell us what will happen this year, for us to form our strategies.
This year you get the certification for sustainable business development with certificate in your own langauge.
could you analyze deeper the difference between strategic and tactic thinking?
This is fantastic and unifying & it's wonderful to see someone talking about this instead of the usual divisive discourse
First law of presenting: do not put words on the screen and then gabble a ton of different words. Our brains have only a single threaded language center and cannot read and listen at the same time. The video does a disservice to the guest speaker.
Totally agree
It worked for me. Don’t know why. Maybe I just ignored the sound.
Worked for me
Not very strategic
I don't mind as long as the speaker is speaking clearly.
In my opinion, this is the best BigThink video. And I've watched almost all of them lol
Very insightful and you really expressed what strategy thinking is.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🤔 The Essence of Strategic Thinking - Strategic thinking is about creating and evolving your worldview. - It involves understanding patterns and trade-offs at various levels. - The world changes quickly, so it's essential to continually revisit and adapt your worldview. 02:45 🌍 Characteristics of Great Strategic Thinkers - Great strategic thinkers are curious, open to different worldviews, and willing to admit when they're wrong. - They respect and engage with worldviews and opinions different from their own. - Being comfortable with different worldviews is crucial for strategic thinking. 05:13 🧠 Nelson Mandela's Strategic Thinking - Nelson Mandela is an exemplary global strategic thinker. - He demonstrated moral courage and a long-term perspective. - Mandela's ability to put aside personal vendettas for his country's future is a remarkable example of strategic thinking. Made with HARPA AI
So let us all flow, dive into the chaos, let it takes us, change, change, change, and dont establish any truth. Do not conclude anything. Uncertainty. Enjoy uncertainty. Go with the wind and become the mice the cats play with.
Great video
Someone once said you have to be able to see with a telescope on one eye and a microscope in the other to again a clear understanding. Developing a third eye means that you have discipline,wisdom and mindfulness in what you see, at a fundamental level you have to have decrement. In live it is difficult perceiving a better unknown and then allowing others to see it. Einstein,Steve Jobs and money others had the 3rd eye
Third eye chakra, everyone has it. Seeing clearly keeps it open, illusion and delusion keep it closed.
While Mandela stopped a looming war in its tracks and saved countless lives, the current regime in South Africa would make him turn in his grave. A great example of how things change.
Key qualities of strategic thinker: curious and open - asking why - train with things that we disagree with, they come from a different story
As soon as he started talking I zoned out he has the most dad voice ever
Sad for you
I think this is a really deep and interesting topic that requires more than 6:21 to get across. I think this should be a 20 min to 30 min, mini explanation of the topic. The small congestion of 6:21 really does this topic a disservice.
Hon sir you are right it should have been extended at least 18 to 20 min as topic is broad can't e calculate in a short v
Same!! And id get into trouble for asking id get put into iss for disrupting the class by getting irritated for not knowing why im doing with what im learning instead just learning it
Yes.
Thanks
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More of this man.
Respectfully, great insights. Much appreciated.
If you enjoy topics about mastery and masculinity, I invite you to explore the videos I share on the Mastery Order Channel. Challenge yourself with some ideas about manhood, explore your masculine potential to the maximum and become the kind of man you would admire. We can only better ourselves together, as men among men, so I invite you to use what I share and, of course, share your own thoughts so that others can benefit from them as well. All the best to you!
Strategic thinking is about examining the forces that drive your thought process with the main goal being to identify and update any antiquated ideas, thus resulting in a more reliable framework for making decisions. This reminds me of Descartes' obsession that led him to scrutinize all his beliefs in the pursuit of truth. The description of this process as being meta thinking was quite apt.
Your statement is so vague as to be meaningless.
I just love it.
Keep an open mind and question everything.
Ian Bremmer discusses the concept of strategic thinking and emphasizes the importance of constantly revisiting and updating one's worldview to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. He suggests that great strategic thinkers are curious and open to different worldviews, rather than simply confirming their existing beliefs. Bremmer also cites Nelson Mandela as an example of a global strategic thinker due to his ability to prioritize long-term values and human development over personal vendettas. The video ends with a promotion for BigThink+ for businesses to learn from the world's biggest thinkers.
Absolutely me
I was asked to exp strategy by the prof at MIT it only secondary to me❤❤🎉🎉
In my opinion, strategic thinking is just vision focused thinking. You have a vision you want to bring into reality, then you walk back to the present and analyse those things helping or impeding your progress, and then act accordingly.
thank you for putting in more simple way
I love 💗 when he said it doesn’t matter if you’re Israeli or a palestian they both have hero stories mindfulness!
[01:52] “The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.” - Nietzsche “To improve is to change; to be perfect* is to change often.” - Winston Churchill [*take this figuratively] “Why not break your pattern? You are the world champion at being nearly identical to who you were yesterday.” - Sam Harris
3:50 What is the difference between a tactical thinker and a strategic thinker?
I believe an underlying theme, or attribute, that characterizes strategic thinking that had been implied but not explicitly mentioned in this video is patience.
Whats the difference between tactics and strategy?
Think of it as a war. A war strategy is how you are going to approach certain battles, which places to fight, what tools to apply. A war tactic is a tool, is how your troops will move, how to deceive the enemy. It is like the strategy is the macro and the tactic is the micro vision. Rhetoric is a tactic, so as manipulation. How to obtain the correct information and what to do with it, probably is strategy.
@@mazocco tactics are skills, things that win battles. strategy is planning, the thing that wins wars. It’s hard to strategize when your life has been nothing been constant battling.
Strategic thinking as described is political within the paradigm of nation-states, for example. Intelligence is the ability to adapt resourcefully and creatively if necessary as reasonable and wise, all things considered. Spiritual living accords with natural and moral principle as freely and genuinely understood. Inner peace is a wellspring of openness and clarity, an excellent foundation for honest self-reflection and interconnection. :)
He mentioned Nelson Mandela, and it makes me sad that people have forgotten Steve Biko. He advocated for Black Consciousness, aware his own people had allowed a divide in their thinking, that they had internalised the prejudices of the nationalists that promoted and enforced apartheid. Somewhat similar to feminists raising awareness of internalised misogyny in women that holds them back.
Wow, I am amazed that he has put Nelson Mandela at the top of his list of greatest strategic thinkers.
Oof that outro girl had such a nice voice
i just like to guess what are likely to happen so i developed strategic thinking. its a matter of exercise or practice
Hello my dear friend! thank you for the cool video! keep filming! I'll wait for new videos
I feel like these type of videos are so much fluff. For example, saying you need to be comfortable being wrong" seems nearly useless because almost everyone watching this THINKS that applies to them. Almost everyone on the planet thinks they're open-minded or an above average driver.
Curiosity is the key to open the doors of knowledge, that will bring thousands of questions. Curiosity is the key to not be bored in life.
Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson "People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character."
Pretty much, yeah.
I love the reference to Mandela, and also example of the Palestine Israel conflict and world view... they are heroes in their own stories...
Yes, Nelson Mandela is a very good example of strategic thinker.
This is the sort of content i wish to ONLY watch on KZhead. I don't want to ever waste my time on pointless content. This is why i will always support by 3rd party external companies such as Patreon .. NEVER sign up for KZhead premium .. the algo will show useless channels and content instead of THIS content. Love Big Think.
The problem in engaging with other people about different world views is that there are simply trolls and bad faith actors online. They penetrate the concept of having a free and open discussion with beyond radical ideas. Usually some sort of sycophantic beliefs about how the world is and about how it should be. Part of being a strategic thinker, is arguing those with different world views, but also realizing that there are those out there that they have no interest in having a good faith argument.
Not all arguments are worth your time and effort. If someone isn't arguing in good faith, and there isn't much at stake, then you should probably just walk away.
@@2bfrank657 Agreed...which is why I tend to remove my comments when the replies to my comment have no redeeming values. I feel like I'm in the wrong crowd...and move on.
Honestly felt that watching Naruto helped me think more strategically lol
To be so afraid of being "wrong" that you relentlessly update your world view just to be agreeable to others'... that's not strategic thinking, that's EXHAUSTING. Real strategic thinking is deciding you don't care about politics and avoiding it at all costs :P
But politics affect you in a very single way you can think of. Whether u like or not.
However, it is not always a question of intellect and lucidity, certainly calculation makes it possible to eliminate contigency on the one hand, but it does not always make it possible to resolve problems.
Wow nice
Interesting way to present this topic, Ian. However, let's PLEASE not conflate curiosity and openness with the notion that 'everyone just has their own truth and worldview' and therefore "we're just different". No! A well-trained strategic thinker isn't simply curious and open but also has the capacity to discern between alternative paths and anticipate which path might lead to better outcomes.
The Necessity To Think THAT You're Right
💯