Books The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking: Leading Your Organization into the Future by Michael D. Watkins 

"The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking" by Michael D. Watkins outlines six key mental disciplines that leaders need to master to think strategically, recognize emerging challenges and opportunities, prioritize effectively, and mobilize their organizations toward the future. These disciplines together provide a comprehensive framework for leadership in a complex, fast-changing environment.

The six disciplines are:

Pattern Recognition
The ability to identify significant trends and meaningful signals amid complex data and noise. This helps leaders spot emerging threats and opportunities by understanding what matters most in their evolving environment.

Systems Analysis
Involves constructing mental models to understand how different components of a system interact. Leaders analyze feedback loops and tipping points to anticipate the ripple effects within organizational and external systems.

Mental Agility
The capacity to shift between high-level abstract thinking and detailed analysis, to see challenges from multiple perspectives and adapt flexibly in complex, uncertain situations.

Structured Problem-Solving
A methodical approach to handling organizational challenges by defining roles clearly, framing problems precisely, exploring alternatives, making decisions, and committing to a course of action. This discipline encourages consistent reflection and learning from each problem-solving experience.

Visioning
The skill of creating an aspirational yet realistic picture of the future to guide organizational efforts. This includes engaging teams in forward-looking exercises, simplifying complex information for effective communication, and embodying the vision in decisions and actions.

Political Savvy
Navigating power dynamics, influence, and organizational politics skillfully with emotional intelligence and empathy. Leaders must understand and utilize political processes to mobilize support for strategic initiatives.

Watkins emphasizes that these disciplines are interlinked and mastering all of them distinguishes great leaders from good ones. Developing these strategic thinking skills enables leaders to foresee potential challenges and opportunities, establish priorities, and mobilize their organizations more effectively toward desired futures.