How You Think Impacts Everything

It is strategic planning season, and teams all around the country are deep into the process of planning and preparing for the future. Important meetings are happening at all levels, and people are engaged in sharing, analysis, and the development of timely and effective strategic plans. 

The challenge is that most people are focused on changing systems, structure, and even the culture of the company at the operational level. But few people are stepping back to examine how they think, i.e. the mental models and frameworks they hold, which are, and will continue to impact all that they do. As Justin Howe, the director, consultant, and leadership coach at trailyst.com remind us: “Arguably, everything is downstream of the thinking. The thinking is the place that generates the greatest leverage for change, because it goes values and beliefs deep. Thinking lives beneath the systems, structures, patterns of behavior and ultimately the actions that drive movement.” In short, our thinking directly impacts our ability to consistently deliver operational excellence, and our capacity to strategically innovate. 

However, we rarely pause in the midst of our strategic planning processes to define what new ways of thinking are needed given the future before us, and what old ways of thinking need to be let go. We get so wrapped up in analytical models and projections that we miss this fundamental truth: “Every action begins with a thought,” explains Jack Canfield. So, if we change, expand, or our adapt our thinking to include new perspectives and insights, we fundamentally pave the way for new ideas, strategy, and action. For in the end, it is the mental models and frameworks we hold that are guiding the operational, and strategic decisions we are making each and every day. 

So, this week, and during the coming weeks, sit back, and reflect on this insight. Then, go out and engage with others to explore the old ways of thinking, and some potential new ways of thinking. For in the end, this action will be vitally important as we all move forward through the current complexities in the world around us. 

© Geery Howe 2026

Geery Howe, M.A. Executive Coach in Leadership, Strategic Planning, and Organizational Change