On Strategy : What Managers Can Learn from Philosophy - PART 1 (Coursera)

In the expression “creative thinking”, the keyword is not creativity; the keyword is thinking. With the help of great philosophers, you will rediscover the art of thinking. To help leaders to be rigorous even without figures, great philosophers have lots of ideas. Managers are invited to rediscover the art of thinking. They should understand the role of mental models, realize the importance of cognitive bias, agree on clear definitions and efficient criteria etc. Creativity demands the ability to unshackle ourselves from conventional ways of thinking, to "think outside the box".

Enroll in course

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

But we need to go a step further. Once outside the box, we need to construct a new box or boxes (that is, new intellectual frameworks or models) to help us structure our thinking. Only once we have done so can we generate truly game-changing ideas.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

The Forgotten Half of Change

This lecture will discuss how strategy is mostly about leading change. New ideas are required because the world of tomorrow will be, again, different.

And we need to remember change has two faces : perception and reality.

WEEK 2

How do we Think ?

In the first lecture, we’ve seen that if we want to change the world, we have to act.

And if we want to change our perception of the world, we have to think. So now… it is time to think about the way we think !

WEEK 3

On the Shoulders of Giants

For this third lecture, I invite you on a journey in the world of past ideas.

Six guides will show us how they shaped this incredible world where everything is connected.

WEEK 4

Mental Models and Perception

After a short recap, we will agree on four key definitions necessary to understand the rules of thinking.

Thanks to a lot of examples, optical illusions and brain treasers, we will see how we build and how we use mental models.

WEEK 5

Eureka or Caramba ?

Heraclites is definitely right, status quo is not an option, change is a must. The only alternative is either to lead the process, or to be a victim of the process. We will also understand why paradoxically creativity and rigor are good friends…

WEEK 6

Thinking in New Boxes

As I told you from the very first minute, philosophers don't claim to be right, they hope to be helpful. This sixth and last lecture is dedicated to you, strategists. We will see how to build the five "new boxes" we need to achieve the next big thing.

WEEK 7

The Essence of Change

WEEK 8

Is technology making us stupid?

WEEK 9

Become a corporate philosopher!