ELW Week Day 1: Building Future Proof Teams - Cultivate Strategic Thinking in an Al World

Because in the Al Revolution, Strategic Thinking Can't Wait

In today's dynamic business landscape, strategic thinking has emerged as a crucial skill for leaders and teams to thrive. This thought-provoking presentation by Mary Rapaport, Creator and Founder of The Strategic Playground, will equip leaders with the tools and insights to create powerful development plans to build strategic thinking muscle within their organization. Mary will guide you through the essence of a strategic mindset, exploring its significance and why it has become a critical aspect of modern business success. We will delve into the historical backdrop of the decline in strategic thinking, examining the economic, social, and other factors that have contributed to the de-prioritization of strategic thinking in the workplace.

Participants will learn practical and actionable approaches for developing the strategic capabilities of leaders and their teams. You will gain insights and ideas that can help you and your team build, think, and operate more strategically.

Key Takeaways:

• A clear understanding of how strategic thinking is essential to achieving business success.
• The ability to recognize how economic and social factors have historically limited the development of strategic thinkers and continue to shape today's business landscape.
• Insight into the drawbacks of maintaining a purely tactical focus and the benefits of shifting to a more strategic approach.
• Practical methods to explore and implement ways for work to make a greater strategic impact.
• An appreciation for the critical role that strategic and critical thinking skills play in driving modern business success.
• New strategies and approaches for leaders to develop and enhance strategic thinking within their teams.
• Techniques for embedding strategic thinking development seamlessly into your daily work and organizational environment.
• Skills to cultivate and nurture a culture that prioritizes strategic thinking, contributing to long-term organizational success.

Presenter Information

THE STRATEGIC Mary Rapaport is on a mission to democratize strategic thinking-not as a rare skill for a select few, but as something everyone can and should do. When more people think strategically, organizations make smarter decisions, move faster, and create greater impact. As the creator of The Strategic Playground, Mary helps leaders and teams build the thinking that drives the business through bold ideas, practical tools, and hands-on learning that make strategy accessible and energizing. With a background in brand strategy and organizational design, she brings a sharp lens to how teams grow, think, and deliver. Today, she delivers keynotes and workshops nationwide and partners with organizations to strengthen their strategic bench, while serving on the ATD Twin Cities board to help learning professionals stay connected and inspired. Whether on stage or in the room, Mary brings insight, curiosity, and a challenge to think bigger-because in a world obsessed with tools and tech, the real advantage still belongs to people and how well they think. Mary's speaker reel is here:

https://vimeo.com/996350789

Zoom credentials will be provided in the Confirmation and Reminder emails.