Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making

Leaders are expected to make strategic decisions in environments defined by uncertainty, incomplete information, and competing priorities. The challenge is not simply choosing a direction, it is identifying the right problems to solve and making disciplined choices that create advantage.

This course strengthens leaders’ ability to think strategically by improving how they frame challenges, evaluate options, and make decisions under uncertainty. Participants will explore how organizations create and sustain advantage, and how leaders can navigate complexity with greater clarity and confidence.

What You Will Learn

• How to identify and define the right strategic problems
• How to make strategic choices under uncertainty
• Sources of competitive advantage and growth
• Common pitfalls and biases in strategic thinking
• How to apply scenario thinking and strategic foresight

Key Benefits
Participants will:

• Improve their ability to diagnose and frame strategic challenges
• Make clearer, more disciplined strategic decisions
• Understand how organizations create and sustain competitive advantage
• See how growth, positioning, and capabilities interact
• Strengthen strategic judgment at the enterprise level
• You will leave with a stronger ability to frame strategic problems, evaluate choices under uncertainty, and make informed decisions that position your organization for sustained advantage.

Who Should Attend

• Leaders responsible for strategy, growth, or business performance
• Managers involved in strategic planning or decision-making
• Functional leaders contributing to enterprise-level decisions
• Professionals seeking to strengthen strategic thinking capabilities

Instructor
Michael Mazzeo

Judy and Jerry Kent Dean and Knight Family Professor

WashU Olin Business School

Location & Modality
In-Person, Charles F. Knight Center on WashU's Danforth Campus

This course may be applied toward the Strategy, Decision-Making & Execution Certificate upon completion of the full program.

Register