Hello, and welcome to another episode of Essential Types of Leadership Thinking. I’m Margaret Ellis, and today we’re diving into something I find absolutely foundational for any leader: mastering the four thinking styles. Now, if you’re anything like the leaders I coach, you’ve probably heard these terms tossed around—expert, critical, strategic, and systems thinking—but maybe you’re not entirely sure what each one really means, or when you should be using them. And honestly, you’re not alone. Even seasoned managers sometimes muddle them up, and I’ll admit, I’ve done it myself on occasion.So, let’s break them down. Expert thinking is all about drawing on deep knowledge and experience in a particular field. It’s that automatic, almost instinctive response you get when you’ve done something a thousand times. Think of a surgeon in the operating theatre, or, I don’t know, a barista who can make a perfect flat white with their eyes closed. It’s quick, it’s efficient, and it’s brilliant for well-defined problems.Then there’s critical thinking. This is where you pause and start questioning your assumptions. It’s not just about being skeptical, but really digging into whether you’re even solving the right problem. I always say, it’s the difference between fixing a leaky tap and asking, “Hang on, is the water pressure too high in the whole building?” It’s about reframing, looking for blind spots, and considering other perspectives.Strategic thinking, on the other hand, is future-focused. It’s about stepping back and asking, “What could be?” or “What if?” It’s less about the details and more about the big picture, the long-term consequences, and imagining possibilities that might not be obvious at first glance.And finally, systems thinking. This one’s a bit of a brain-bender, I’ll admit. It’s about seeing how all the parts of a system interact—how a change in one area ripples out to affect everything else. It’s holistic, and it’s essential for tackling really complex, interconnected challenges.Now, let me share a quick story. I once mentored a young manager—let’s call her Priya—who was absolutely brilliant in her technical field. She relied almost exclusively on expert thinking, and for a while, it worked. But when her team hit a snag that didn’t fit the usual patterns, she was stumped. It wasn’t until she started flexing her critical and strategic muscles—questioning assumptions, looking ahead, and considering the wider system—that she really began to shine as a leader. It’s a reminder that versatility in thinking isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential.So, how do you know which thinking style to use, and when? Well, it’s not always obvious, is it? Routine problems—like, say, approving a standard expense report—are perfect for expert thinking. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time. But when you’re faced with something ambiguous, or when the usual solutions just aren’t working, that’s your cue to shift gears.For example, let’s say you’re planning for the future—maybe a new product launch. That’s where strategic thinking comes in. You’re not just looking at what’s worked before, but imagining what could work, what the market might look like in a year or two, and how your decisions today will shape that future.And then there are those really knotty, complex situations—like, I don’t know, rolling out a new company-wide software system. That’s when you need systems thinking. You have to consider how every department, every process, every person is going to be affected. It’s not just about the software; it’s about the whole ecosystem.Now, one question I get a lot is, “How do I know when to switch my thinking?” Honestly, it often starts with a feeling—maybe you notice that your usual approach isn’t working, or you keep running into the same problem. That’s your signal to pause and ask yourself, “Am I using the right kind of thinking here?” AI tools can actually help with this, by prompting you with questions like, “What assumptions am I making?” or “What’s another way to look at this problem?” Sometimes, just having those prompts can nudge you into a different mode.Let me give you a real-world example. I worked with a leadership team at a tech company who were struggling with a product launch. At first, they relied on their expert knowledge—what had worked in the past. When that didn’t solve the issue, they shifted to critical thinking, questioning whether they were even targeting the right customer segment. Then, they moved into strategic thinking, exploring new markets and long-term opportunities. Finally, they used systems thinking to map out how changes would impact not just their team, but the entire organization. It was a cycle—each style building on the last, and together, they found a solution that none of them could have reached alone.Now, let’s talk about how you actually build these thinking skills, both for yourself and your team. The truth is, none of these styles come naturally—we have to practice them deliberately. For expert thinking, it’s about deepening your knowledge and experience in your field. For critical thinking, you can make it a habit to regularly question assumptions and seek out different perspectives. Strategic thinking? That’s about carving out time to step back, reflect, and imagine possibilities. And for systems thinking, I always recommend using visual tools—whiteboards, mind maps, even LEGO bricks if you’re feeling playful—to help you see the bigger picture.Collaboration is absolutely key here. No one person can see every angle, and the best solutions come from bringing together diverse perspectives. AI tools can be a fantastic support, too—they can surface blind spots, suggest new questions, and help you visualize complex systems. I remember running a workshop where we used data visualization tools to help leaders map out all the moving parts of a major change initiative. Suddenly, connections and patterns that had been invisible became clear, and the team could see how their decisions would ripple out across the organization.So, if you take one thing away from today, let it be this: mastering these four thinking styles isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about building a culture where everyone can contribute their best thinking. And with a bit of practice, and the right tools, you’ll be amazed at what your team can achieve. That’s all for this episode—thanks for joining me, and I hope you’ll tune in next time as we explore more ways to think like a leader. Take care.

Episodes

Mastering the Four Thinking Styles