By Mike Cline, VP Operations, Venturist, Inc.
Understanding and applying the fundamental rules or Cardinal Rules of strategy as John likes to call them is essential for success as a Strategic Thinker, Strategic Planner or Strategic Organization. One of those rules is:
Think like an Architect, Not like a Bricklayer
Bricklayers are nothing to be ashamed of. As a profession in the trades, bricklayers and stone masons are superb tacticians constructing beautiful facades, strong walls and other intricate brick and stone structures. On the other hand, architects are designers, planners, visionaries. The consummate architect considers all aspects of a new structure or development-feasibility, cost, functionality, engineering and structural integrity, social and cultural impact, innovative materials, environmental impacts and harmony and most importantly, the long-term desires of the stakeholders in the new structure. Architects paint robust Future Pictures for their ideas. In other words, Think like an Architect, Not like a Bricklayer is a metaphor for Thinking Strategically, not Tactically.
Every enterprise has both architects and bricklayers. If the architects of the enterprise are truly Strategic Thinkers, then they will want everyone in the enterprise, including the bricklayers to Think like Architects-To Think Strategically.
Why? Bricklaying, metaphorically, is a bottom’s up, tactical approach to any problem. It’s not that good tactics aren’t important, but solving problems requires strategic thinking and an understanding of that strategy by the bricklayers in the organization. When the bricklayer identifies a strategic problem with the plan because they understand the overall strategy, the bricklayers must be free to communicate with the architects about the error. The architects should welcome and encourage this communication so that strategies are executed successfully. Failure to do so will leave the bricklayers with little interest in the organization’s strategy. They will just lay bricks as they know best without consideration of strategic success.
Think Like An Architect, Not Like A Bricklayer is a Cardinal Rule of Strategy.