chrisA Practical Guide to Developing the 7 Superpowers
Strategic thinking isn’t just for CEOs or consultants, it’s a skill that anyone can develop and apply to grow their business, sharpen their value proposition, and solve complex problems. Following on from our introduction to the 7 strategic superpowers we are now going to put them into practice.
This step-by-step framework will help you train yourself in the 7 strategic superpowers and apply them in real-world situations.
Step 1: Play the Long Game 🏗️
Think big. Optimize for the future, not just today.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- What will my industry look like in 3–5 years?
- How can I position myself/business to thrive in that future?
- What investments can I make today that will compound over time?
🔹 Exercise:
- Scenario Mapping: Imagine 3 different possible futures for your business or industry. Identify what you need to start building now to win in each scenario.
- Future-Proofing Decisions: Before launching a new product or making a big move, ask: “Will this still be a smart decision 3 years from now?”
🔹 Example:
Dexcom introduced lower-cost glucose monitors without abandoning its premium line—expanding its reach while maintaining brand value.
✅ Your Action: Outline one long-term move for your business that positions you for sustained success.
Step 2: Think Second-Order Consequences ♟️
Look beyond the first move. Anticipate the ripple effects.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- If I take this action, what will happen next?
- Could this decision backfire in unexpected ways?
- How do I test for unintended consequences before making a big move?
🔹 Exercise:
- The Chessboard Test: Write down a decision you’re considering. Then, list three potential consequences that could result from that decision.
- Case Study Review: Analyze businesses that failed due to second-order effects (like Ecomom’s unsustainable discounting).
🔹 Example:
Netflix didn’t just remove late fees, they completely restructured how people consumed entertainment, leading to streaming dominance.
✅ Your Action: Identify one decision you’re about to make and map out at least 3 potential ripple effects of each good and bad.
Step 3: Define the Problem Clearly 🎯
Focus on the real problem, not just the symptoms.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- Am I solving the right problem, or just a surface issue?
- How do I define the core challenge in a way that unlocks new solutions?
- What’s the root cause behind this challenge?
🔹 Exercise:
- The 5 Whys: Take a problem and ask “why” at least five times to drill down to the real issue.
- Problem Framing Exercise: Rewrite your problem in at least three different ways to see it from new angles.
🔹 Example:
Netflix didn’t ask, “How do we make video rentals better?” They asked, “How do we eliminate the need for video rentals altogether?”
✅ Your Action: Take a current challenge and redefine it in a way that opens up new strategic possibilities.
Step 4: Tell a Story That Sticks 📖
Your ideas are only as strong as your ability to communicate them.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- How can I frame my value proposition in a way that resonates deeply?
- Does my brand, product, or idea tell a compelling story?
- Can I simplify and humanize my strategy?
🔹 Exercise:
- The One-Sentence Pitch: Describe your business, product, or strategy in one clear sentence.
- Hero’s Journey Storytelling: Frame your business challenge using a hero’s journey (e.g., problem, struggle, breakthrough).
🔹 Example:
Coach rebranded to “expressive luxury” to better connect with Gen Z, turning their strategy into a movement, not just a product.
✅ Your Action: Rewrite your business or personal brand story in a way that inspires, not just informs.
Step 5: Make Structured Decisions ✅
Eliminate guesswork. Make smarter choices with clarity.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- What are my clear options, and how do they compare?
- What criteria should I use to evaluate the best path forward?
- How do I balance risk vs. opportunity?
🔹 Exercise:
- Decision Matrix: List your top options, score them based on key criteria, and make data-backed decisions.
- Pre-Mortem Analysis: Before making a big move, ask: “If this fails, what would have caused it?”
🔹 Example:
J&J evaluated where to invest and where to exit, selling off Cerenovus for over $1 billion to refocus on high-growth areas.
✅ Your Action: Use a structured approach (like a matrix or risk-reward analysis) for your next big decision.
Step 6: Synthesize Ideas for Big Wins 🔍
Connect the dots others don’t see.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- How can I combine ideas in a way that creates something new?
- What hidden patterns exist in my industry that I can leverage?
- How do I bring multiple perspectives together for innovation?
🔹 Exercise:
- Industry Cross-Pollination: Take a strategy from another industry and see how it can apply to yours.
- Pattern Recognition: Identify three trends in your field and look for commonalities.
🔹 Example:
Apple built a connected ecosystem where devices seamlessly work together, creating an unbeatable moat.
✅ Your Action: Find one insight from a different industry and explore how it applies to your business.
Step 7: Leverage Force Multipliers ⚡
Build momentum. Make every move count twice.
🔹 Ask Yourself:
- How do I create self-reinforcing growth loops?
- What small changes will have compounding effects?
- How can I use AI, automation, or partnerships to multiply my impact?
🔹 Exercise:
- The Flywheel Test: Identify areas where success in one area feeds into another, creating a loop of continuous improvement.
- Leverage Existing Platforms: Instead of building from scratch, identify existing networks that can amplify your growth.
🔹 Example:
Amazon’s Flywheel Effect (lower prices → more customers → more sellers → better selection → lower costs → repeat) fueled unstoppable growth.
✅ Your Action: Identify one force multiplier in your business and double down on it.
AND the step we didn’t tell you about last time!
Step 8: The Strategic Thinking System 🧩
Integrate the 7 superpowers into a single, repeatable strategy.
Now that you’ve developed the seven thinking superpowers, the real magic happens when you combine them into a system one that allows you to move from idea to execution with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Here’s a simple yet powerful framework to bring it all together:
The Strategic Thinking Loop: 7 Steps, 1 System
1️⃣ Start with the Long Game → Define your vision and where you want to go.
2️⃣ Think in Second-Order Consequences → Map out potential ripple effects.
3️⃣ Define the Problem Clearly → Ensure you’re solving the right problem.
4️⃣ Tell a Story That Sticks → Frame your strategy in a way that inspires action.
5️⃣ Make Structured Decisions → Use a system to evaluate options objectively.
6️⃣ Synthesize Ideas for Big Wins → Connect insights to uncover hidden advantages.
7️⃣ Leverage Force Multipliers → Identify self-reinforcing loops for exponential growth.
🟢 Repeat → Strategy is never static. After executing, cycle back through the loop to refine, adapt, and improve.
This loop ensures every decision, every move, and every challenge is approached with full-spectrum strategic thinking.
In the next in this mini series we will guide you through some case studies on how to deploy these superpowers to solve your own problems.
chris
