Unit 2: Understanding Local Networks

Lesson 2.2
Strategic Analysis and Intuitive Thinking

Contents
Contents 0

Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Let’s Connect 2

Discover 3
Strategic Analysis 3
Strategic Planning 4
Strategic Analysis and Networks 4
Intuitive Thinking 5
Components of Intuitive Thinking 6
Strategic Analysis and Intuitive Thinking on Networks 6

Wrap-Up 8

Try This! 9

Challenge Yourself 10

Reflect on This 11

Photo Credit 12

Bibliography 12
Unit 2: Understanding Local Networks

Lesson 2.2

Strategic Analysis and Intuitive

Thinking

Introduction
It has been long debated that what sets us human beings apart from other species in the
animal kingdom is our ability to think rationally. This includes our ability to decide and act
either analytically or out of intuition.

Both strategic analysis and intuitive thinking play a great role in society building and the

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forming of networks. A person’s actions are driven by either strategic or intuitive thinking,
and these actions have an effect on society as a whole. To know more, let us begin by
defining and evaluating strategic analysis and intuitive thinking. As we know more, we will
see how these techniques can be useful in the formation of and interaction within networks.

Learning Objectives DepEd Learning Competencies

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to do
In this lesson, you should be able to do the the following:
following: ● Define strategic analysis and intuitive thinking
(HUMSS_MCT12- Ic-e-1).
● Discuss strategic analysis and
● Explain strategic analysis and intuitive
intuitive thinking. thinking (HUMSS_MCT12- Ic-e-2).

● Define strategic planning.

● Analyze how strategic analysis

and intuitive thinking affect
networks.

Let’s Connect

Resolving Conflicts 10 minutes

Think of the instances when you have encountered conflict within your networks. How did
you address each problem? Reflect on how you resolved conflicts within your networks by
answering the guide questions below.

Guide Questions
1. What is your first thought when you have a misunderstanding with someone in your
network (e.g., a family member or a friend)?
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2. Do you strategize to resolve your conflicts with them? Explain.

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3. Do you act based on your immediate thoughts or gut feelings to resolve conflicts
with them? Explain.
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Discover
Strategic Analysis
To effectively maintain networks, its members must also have their own share of skills and
competencies in order to keep things working smoothly. Since we are dealing with a
number of people, there are various things to be considered in order to keep the network
afloat. One crucial skill in this endeavor is a strategic analysis which refers to "the ability to
synthesize and utilize intuition and creativity in order for an organization to achieve an
integrated perspective" (Muriithi, et al. 2018). By utilizing this skill, the members are also
able to exercise their ability to think critically in order to arrive at conclusions that are
helpful for their network's success.

How are strategic analysis and intuitive thinking

effective in managing one’s networks?

According to Hogan and Kaiser (2009, 2), strategic analysis is the ability to plan, organize,
coordinate, monitor, and make use of available resources. Through strategic analysis,
leaders, as well as their members, can reach a consensus or a definite resolution through
the use of data, supporting information, and other materials. The results of this endeavor

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are profound solutions that are backed up by data. Strategic analysis allows organizations to
generate ideas with confidence and resourcefulness when facing adversities.

Strategic Planning
Since strategic analysis begins with the ability to plan, it is equally important to highlight the
notion of strategic planning. Formulating a strategy is a skill possessed by rulers and
generals since ancient times, and this ability has guided them in overcoming battles.
Primarily, strategic planning is about locating both the obstacles and opportunities that
may either obstruct or may enable us to carry out certain missions (The Enterprise
Foundation 1999, 2). It requires analytical skills. Preparing a strategic plan applies to a wide
range of activities, from the smallest of our survival needs to the systematic areas of
research, business, and medicine, among other things. If properly applied, it is an effective
tool to keep organizations and networks intact.

One key activity in strategic planning is an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,

and threats, that is, the SWOT analysis. The development and imagined success of a plan
can be measured through this procedure. Using SWOT Analysis, a strategic review of an
organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats can help it prepare for
possible problems and maximize key opportunities. Using this method may lead to a
stronger organization as a whole. With these characteristics, strategic planning resembles
the nature of strategic analysis.

By considering the factors that affect a situation or by breaking down a big problem into
smaller steps or components through strategic analysis and planning, complicated
situations become more manageable and actionable. Strategic analysis and planning also
open up a variety of solutions.

Strategic Analysis and Networks

Strategic planning and strategic analysis may also be used to unite a group into a single,
collective being. They involve "a series of powerful analytical tools that enables us to make
sense of a complex world and can transform the way we think, behave, and interact with
others" (Hogan and Kaiser, 2009). It also comes in handy when a network needs to relate or

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link with another network, thereby forging connections as well. By being tactical and
organized when it comes to managing one’s own network, one can create fruitful
collaborations and partnerships with other groups.

3 Unmistakable Signs That You are a Strategic Thinker

Terina Allen, “3 Unmistakable Signs That You are a Strategic
Thinker,” Forbes, November 20, 2018,
https://www.forbes.com/sites/terinaallen/2018/11/20/3-unmista
kable-signs-youre-a-strategic-thinker/?sh=5e6da6b26921.

Intuitive Thinking
While strategic analysis is important in flourishing a network, it can be more powerful when
partnered with intuitive thinking. Intuitive thinking is characterized as the intellectual skill
of arriving at immediate decisions and conclusions without going through a rigorous
step-by-step process. By thinking intuitively, people will be able to make decisions in crucial
situations without first breaking down a problem into substantial pieces or components.

Fig.1. Some ancient Greek philosophers used intuitive thinking to solve their inquiries
pertaining to the world.

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Components of Intuitive Thinking

When thinking based on intuition, people tend to formulate ideas in an immediate manner
or with “a spur of the moment” urgency (Baylor 1997). This is one of the characteristics of
thinking intuitively—immediacy. In layman’s terms, this can also be described as a gut
feeling. Another factor that aids our intuition is sensing relationships. The sudden flow of
thoughts that our senses dictate to us activates our intuitive thinking. Lastly, we are able to
intuit because we have the capacity to reason or to think. Alongside rationality, intuitive
thinking is also a uniquely human ability. The ability to reason helps us realize valuable
concepts and ideas.

Through intuitive thinking, an individual is able to almost instantly link things and ideas
together to formulate a conclusion—a whole new idea altogether. Some may not even
recognize the idea in the first place, and that's where sensing relationships between things
come in handy. We can triumph over obstacles and weave our way through almost anything
through the use of reasoning and critical thinking. In sum, intuitive thinking involves both
the mind and the body of a person or both theory and practice.

Check Your Progress

Can you think of a scenario in the past when you have acted based
on intuition? How?
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Strategic Analysis and Intuitive Thinking on Networks

Strategic analysis and intuitive thinking are two skills that go hand in hand when managing a
network. These skills are complementary. Intuitive thinking is crucial when developing fresh
ideas, while strategic analysis provides the necessary data and framework to foster the
actualization of the idea. The idea can only work if both skills are present in its formulation.

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Unit 2: Understanding Local Networks

These skills are also helpful in "complex problem-solving tasks" (Reber 1989), because such
situations that involve "subconscious pattern formation and recognition must at some level
involve implicit or tacit knowledge" (Baylor 2001).

These skills and competencies can be applied to formulating and nurturing ideas that will be
beneficial for networks. For example, there is an existing problem in your community that
needs an immediate solution. Through intuitive thinking, an idea can be formulated
urgently, while strategic analysis will allow you to research additional data for the project,
such as its possible effects, the expenses, the time needed to accomplish it, and more.
These will help you keep your network well-knit and functioning.

In Philippine Context
Despite the Philippines being an archipelago, Filipinos are still able to link with each other
and form bonds with their fellow people. Increasing opportunities to maintain networks in
a modernized society, alongside the friendliness of Filipinos, sustain valued relationships.
These networks are typically in the form of family, friends, and members of the
community.

When conflict emerges among members of a Filipino network, the urge to resolve this with
immediacy or with a strategy is always considered. Situations like this make us hone our
intuitive and strategic thinking skills. As warm people with close family ties and
deep-rooted values for friendship, resorting to reason comes in handy when the risk of
losing our valued networks comes into play.

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Wrap-Up
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
● Strategic analysis is used to unite a group into one that has a collective mindset and
goal while giving them the freedom to connect with other groups as well.
● Strategic analysis utilizes supporting information in achieving a goal or executing an
idea.
● Strategic planning is about locating the obstacles and opportunities that may
enable or obstruct certain aims.
● Intuitive thinking has three components: immediacy, sensing relationships, and
reason. Intuitive thinking is likened to a gut feeling.
● Both the skills of strategic analysis and intuitive thinking are important in managing
networks, as well as making them grow and prosper.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Try This!
A. True or False. Write true if the statement is true and false if it is not.

_______________ 1. Strategic analysis requires critical thinking skills.

_______________ 2. Networks can form connections with other networks when strategic
analysis is applied.

_______________ 3. Intuition was used by postmodern thinkers to advance their claims.

_______________ 4. Reasoning is a unique human capacity.

_______________ 5. Strategic analysis and intuitive thinking are useful in managing

networks.

B. Identification. Choose the correct word from the box and write the correct answer on
the blank before each number.

Strategic Analysis Networks Intuitive Thinking

_____________________ 1. It is considered a crucial leadership skill.

_____________________ 2. This way of formulating ideas is usually done with

immediacy.

_____________________ 3. It can be composed of people linked together for certain

reasons.

_____________________ 4. This way of reasoning is also understood as a gut feeling.

_____________________ 5. They share common skills and competencies.

_____________________ 6. It is used to unite a group into a single, collective being.

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_____________________ 7. It is when people formulate ideas in the spur of the

moment.

_____________________ 8. They can be managed well when proper strategies and

ways of thinking are applied.

_____________________ 9. It refers to the usage of intuition and supporting

information in achieving a goal or executing an idea.

_____________________ 10. A kind of thinking used by some ancient Greek

philosophers to elaborate ideas.

Challenge Yourself
Short-Answer Response. Answer the questions below.

1. In what ways can you improve your skills for strategic analysis? Explain your answer
in at least five sentences.
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2. In what ways can you improve your intuitive thinking? Explain your answer in at least
five sentences.
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Suggested Rubric for Grading

The rubric below is a suggested one. Your teacher may modify it based on your needs.
Consult your teacher for the final rubric.

Performance Levels

1 2 3 Suggested
Criteria Score
Beginning Proficient Advanced Weight
Proficiency Proficiency

Knowledge of Familiarity with the Familiarity with the Familiarity with the

the topic
topic needs topic is fairly topic is exceptional. ×3
improvement. evident.

Clarity of ideas The presentation of The presentation of The presentation of

ideas is incomplete ideas is good. ideas is exceptional.
presented ×1
and needs
improvement.

Grammar and Grammar and Grammar and Grammar and

structure
sentence structure sentence structure is sentence structure is ×1
needs improvement. good. exceptional.

Total Possible Score 15

Reflect on This
Which do you think is more effective in resolving conflicts that a network may encounter:
strategic analysis or intuitive thinking?
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Photo Credit
Greek philosophers by dr.jd is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Creative Commons.

Bibliography
Baylor, Amy. “A Three-component Conception of Intuition: Immediacy, Sensing
Relationships, and Reason.” New Ideas in Psychology 15, No. 2, (1997): 185-194.

Bruner, Jerome. The Process of Education. New York: Vintage Books, 1963.

Fairchild, Joshua, Dawn Eubanks, and Samuel Hunter. “Effects of Intuition, Positive Affect,
and Training on Creative Problem Solving.” In Encyclopedia of Creativity, Invention,
innovation and Entrepreneurship, edited by Caryannis E., 562-567. New York: Springer,
2013.

Muriithi, Samuel, Lynette Luow, and Sarah Radloff. “The Relationship Between Strategic
Thinking and Leadership Effectiveness in Kenyan Indigenous Banks.” South African
Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 21 No. 1 (2018): 1-11.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324605512_The_relationship_between_str
ategic_thinking_and_leadership_effectiveness_in_Kenyan_indigenous_banks

Reber, Arthur. “Implicit Learning of Tacit Knowledge.” Journal of Experimental Psychology

General 118, No. 3 (1989): 219-235. DOI: 10.1037/0096-3445.118.3.219.

The Enterprise Foundation. Effective Strategic Planning. Columbia, Maryland: The Enterprise
Foundation, 1999.

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