Strategic Thinking & Decision Making
One-day course for managers and professionalsInstructor-Led Leadership Training
Strategic Thinking & Decision Making with an expert
A practical one-day course that helps managers and professionals think more strategically and make smarter, more confident decisions – delivered at your premises or live online.
20+ yearsTraining experience
1 dayManagers & future leaders
UK-wideOn-site or live online
Some of our clients
Think long-term, decide with confidence
This one-day instructor-led course is designed to help professionals think more strategically and make smarter, more informed decisions. Participants learn how to take a long-term view, align decisions with organisational goals and use practical tools to evaluate options and make confident choices. The course blends strategic models with real-world decision-making scenarios to build critical thinking and forward-planning skills.
Building a senior leadership programme? Browse all our management & leadership training courses, including Organisational Leadership Skills and Leadership & Strategic Management for Directors, or run this day as a live remote class via Microsoft Teams.
- Free training needs analysis before your course
- Tailored with your real workplace scenarios
- Free post-course telephone & email support
Strategic Mindset
What strategic thinking is, how it differs from tactical and operational thinking, and the habits of a strategic thinker.
Planning Models
Identify strategic priorities in your role, set strategic goals and apply models such as SWOT and PESTLE.
Decision Tools
Use cost-benefit analysis and decision matrices, balance intuition with data and overcome cognitive biases.
Decisions Under Pressure
Make sound decisions in complex or high-pressure situations, evaluate outcomes and gain buy-in for your choices.
Three ways to book your course
From a focused half-day briefing to a fully customised day with professional actors – every option is quoted individually around your team, your objectives and your diary.
Option 1
In-House or Live Online
Half-Day Group Course
Tailored quote
Half day · at your premises or live online
- Focused on the essentials
- At your premises or via Microsoft Teams
- Reference materials & certificates
Option 2
In-House or Live Online
Full-Day Group Course
Tailored quote
One day · at your premises or live online
- Tailored to your teams and situations
- At your premises or via Microsoft Teams
- Reference materials & certificates
Option 3
Customised at Your Premises
With Professional Actors
Tailored quote
Full day · any group size
- Scenarios written around your organisation
- Real practice with trained actors
- Trainer plus actor(s) at your premises
Training a larger group?
Every course is quoted individually based on your requirements, group size and location. If you have a larger team, or several teams to train, please speak with one of our team to discuss this further and we will put together a tailored quote.
Speak to our team
or call 0345 450 0051
Who should attend
Managers and team leaders involved in planning and decision-making, project leaders and professionals preparing for senior roles, and anyone responsible for aligning their team’s work with organisational goals.
*All options are quoted individually based on your requirements, group size and location. Speak with a training advisor for a tailored quote.
Course Outline
By the end of the day your managers will take a longer-term view, use practical frameworks to weigh up options, recognise their own biases and make confident decisions under pressure.
1. What Is Strategic Thinking?
- The difference between strategic, tactical and operational thinking
- Key characteristics of a strategic thinker
- Identifying strategic priorities in your role
2. Strategic Planning
- Strategic goal setting and vision alignment
- Introduction to strategic planning models (e.g. SWOT, PESTLE)
- Strategic risk awareness and mitigation
3. The Decision-Making Process
- Understanding the decision-making process
- Tools for effective decision-making (e.g. cost-benefit, decision matrix)
4. Better Judgement
- Balancing intuition vs. data in decision-making
- Overcoming cognitive biases and mental shortcuts
5. Decisions Under Pressure
- Making decisions under pressure
- Evaluating outcomes and learning from results
6. Communication and Action Plan
- Strategic communication: gaining buy-in for decisions
- Creating a personal strategic action plan
More than just a training day
Tailored Content
Built around your team’s real workplace scenarios
Expert Trainers
Instructor-led, at the pace of your attendees
Reference Materials
Handouts and supporting materials for every attendee
Certificates
Course completion certificate for each attendee
Free Aftercare
Post-course telephone & email support
From the training room
A few of the teams we’ve worked with recently – in-house at their premises, at our venues and on public courses.
Training created for every kind of brain
People don’t all learn the same way – and a great course shouldn’t assume they do. Every Keys Training course has been adapted for different types of learners, including neurodivergent attendees and people with disabilities, so everyone in the room gets the same value from the day.
Whether someone has dyslexia, ADHD, autism, a hearing or visual impairment, or simply prefers to learn by doing rather than listening, our trainers adjust the pace, materials and activities to suit the people in front of them.
Every course has been assessed by accessibility experts to make sure it’s accessible and beneficial for all.
Neurodiversity-aware
Clear structure, plain language and varied activities that work for dyslexic, ADHD and autistic learners.
Accessible materials
Handouts and slides designed for readability, with formats adapted on request for individual needs.
Adjusted to the room
Small groups mean the trainer can flex pace, breaks and delivery style around each attendee.
Expert-reviewed
Every course has been assessed by specialists to make sure it’s accessible and valuable for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
Managers and team leaders involved in planning and decision-making, project leaders, professionals preparing for senior roles, and anyone who wants to strengthen their strategic mindset and make better business decisions.
Is this course suitable for people who are new to strategy?
Yes. The course starts with what strategic thinking actually is and how it differs from day-to-day tactical and operational thinking, then builds up practical tools step by step. No previous strategy training is needed.
Can the course be delivered remotely?
Yes. The course can be run as a live online class via Microsoft Teams as well as at your premises.
Can the course be tailored to our organisation?
Yes. All of our tailored courses begin with a free training needs analysis, so the trainer can build the decision-making scenarios around the real choices your managers face.
What will attendees be able to do after the course?
- Apply the principles of strategic thinking to real work challenges
- Use frameworks to evaluate options and make well-informed decisions
- Recognise and overcome decision-making biases
- Make confident decisions in complex or high-pressure situations
- Follow a personalised action plan for applying strategic thinking in their role
Ready to make better decisions, faster?
Speak with a training advisor to arrange a tailored Strategic Thinking & Decision Making course for your team – at your premises, live online or with professional actors.
Or call us on 0345 450 0051 to speak with a training advisor today.