It’s easy for leaders to fall into the trap of “firefighting mode”—moving rapidly from one urgent issue to the next, without spending time on the necessary strategic thinking that can actually help move your business forward. Each time we check something off a list or tackle a quick task, our brain gets a hit of dopamine, the feel-good chemical associated with reward and accomplishment. That rush can be addictive. Over time, our brains become wired to seek the next quick win, which reinforces short-term thinking and a reactive approach. And that’s not good.
To break this cycle, leaders need to embrace systems thinking: stepping back to see how individual issues connect to larger patterns, feedback loops, and root causes. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that strategic thinking is one of the top skills leaders need to succeed, yet few make time for it because they’re trapped in constant execution mode. Making the shift starts with awareness. The next time you feel compelled to jump into action, pause and ask: “Am I solving the right problem—or just the one in front of me?”
To cultivate a more strategic mindset, schedule 30 minutes of “big-picture thinking” each week. Use that time to explore long-standing challenges or reflect on broader team dynamics. Tools like the Iceberg Model (pictured above) help reveal what’s beneath recurring issues. In meetings, ask your team questions like, “What patterns are we seeing?” or “What assumptions are we making?” Over time, this shift rewires the brain by triggering dopamine when you feel a sense of accomplishment by solving deeper problems.
Go Deeper: Learn about the Iceberg Model by Mutomorro