Week 4: Understanding Strategic Analysis & Intuitive Thinking PDF

**Week 4** **UNDERSTANDING STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING** **OBJECTIVES** - EXPLAIN STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING - DEFINE STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING - DIFFERENTIATE KEY COMPONENTS IN STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING - APPLY INTUITIVE...

**Week 4** **UNDERSTANDING STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING** **OBJECTIVES** - EXPLAIN STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING - DEFINE STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING - DIFFERENTIATE KEY COMPONENTS IN STRATEGIC ANALYSIS AND INTUITIVE THINKING - APPLY INTUITIVE THINKING IN SOLVING A PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY USING A MAP OF SOCIAL NETWORKS - APPLY STRATEGIC ANALYSIS Aristotle described the human person as an "rational animal" which only mean that we humans are the only beings capable of reasoning or thinking. This concept was reiterated by the modern thinker, Rene Descartes, in his famous "*cogito ergo sum*" or "*I think therefore I exist"* which he meant that we human beings, whether we liked it or not, whether we choose it or not, whether we doubt it or not, we think. The question "why we think?" may be functionally answered by sciences like psychology, biology and physics but the question "how we think?" brings us to the process and development of our capacity to think. **Strategic Analysis and Intuitive Thinking Defined** Strategic analysis refers to a system or method that requires deliberate, abstract, and effortful thinking that breaks down a complex problem into parts. Deliberate thinking employs a detailed examination of a problem to come up with a solution. This involves looking at the context of the problem. The amount of time and resources are the primary factors in strategic analysis. The most common strategic analysis model used in decision-making follows five steps as illustrated in the diagram below. (Arzadon, 2018). The process above requires you to follow a pattern to creatively address a situation. This involves strategic thinking. Another focus of this lesson is for you to engage in decision-making activities that will allow you to apply decision making methods. Strategic analysis is relevant in addressing your personal issues as a student. It means that you can also analyze your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in order to make creative strategies or solutions in facing life challenges. In practice, a personal SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threat/s) will help you understand your personal issues and goals as well as construct effective ways in dealing with both. This is illustrated through the personal SWOT analysis shown on the next page, which presents that of a student who wishes to finish high school with good grades. **Intuitive thinking** is "quick and ready insight" (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary). It is another approach to decision-making. This is the ability to understand something instinctively without the need for conscious reasoning. Sometimes, it is referred to as gut feeling, sixth sense, inner sense, instinct, inner voice, spiritual guide, etc. Intuitive thinking is affected by how one feels and define a thing or event. Particular norms and value systems within a community are considered when making decisions. For example, among some indigenous people, their farmers would not touch certain places in the field like an anthill. When asked why they do avoid such places, they cannot cite any pragmatic reason. It was just intuition. Maybe they will say that *nuno sa punso* (a mythical dwarf-like creature), lives in those places. Soil scientist said that such is a sound practice because anthills are necessary to maintain the physical, chemical, and biological health of the soil. Intuitive decision-making is far more than using common sense because it involves additional sensors to perceive and get aware of the information from outside. In dealing with everyday life issues and situations, we are called to make immediate decisions based on our 'gut' feelings and prior knowledge and experiences. This type of decision-making is evident in various situations: a doctor assessing an emergency case; a teacher determining the reason for a child's inattentiveness in class; a buyer examining which vegetable to buy; and a firefighter trying to rescue a fire victim. In these cases, one would not hesitate or delay making decisions because these situations need immediate action. The question is now whether rational reasoning or intuitive decision-making is generally better. The question is rather how both approaches can be best combined for best results and to avoid mistakes and prejudices. The Venn Diagram below shows some similarities and differences between strategic analysis and intuitive thinking. **Using Intuitive Thinking in Social Networks** Each person is engaged in a variety of networks associated with his or her multiple roles and interests in the community. According to Arzadon et.al. (2017), these networks can be, among others, political, economic, and sociocultural. Your **political networks** are composed of relations with government officials, student government, and community leaders, among others. The **economic networks** you belong to cover the manufacturers, agents, and sellers of the goods you consume such as those in stores, groceries, markets, and malls as well as money lenders. Your **sociocultural or social networks** are those belonging to your dance troupe, choir, reading club, band, arts club, or theater company. Kinship ties, neighborhood associations, friendship clubs, and veterans' associations also belong to the social network wherein people constantly engage in close communication and interaction through visits, phone calls, text messages, and activities of common interest. Social networks appear as clusters and support groups of people who share similar interests, backgrounds, and real-life connections. They are avenues for meeting new friends, reuniting with old and lost friends, exchanging gifts and favors, and developing cooperation. The community is home to this web of interrelations and interconnections of people and institutions. **Community** refers to a particular geographic location with people living under the same set of laws and recognizing common leaders. Studies of community linkages deal usually with who was seen interacting with whom. Another concept in the study of social ties is the **center of influence.** This is the person to whom people gravitate around. This person who can give favors, can command and make things happen. Examples of center of influence are the mayor, judge, barangay captain, school principal, and university president, among others. His or her influence transcends the boundaries of social networks and thus reaches other kinds of networks. A center of influence has many people and institutions attached to him or her, thereby creating a substantial influence in the community.