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Leadership & Management

Strategic Thinking for Middle Managers

Middle managers are expected to translate strategy into action and contribute ideas upward, yet many are trained only in operations. This course develops strategic thinking skills: understanding the business environment, analysing trends and competitors, connecting team priorities to organisational strategy and proposing initiatives that senior leaders will support.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF
Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Thinking strategically is what separates managers who execute from those who shape direction. You will learn practical tools to see the bigger picture and act on it.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

Strategy tools practice, business case studies, team strategy workshops and presentation of strategic proposals.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain how strategy is formed and executed
  • Analyse the external environment and competitors
  • Connect team objectives to organisational strategy
  • Identify strategic opportunities and risks
  • Prioritise initiatives using strategic criteria
  • Present strategic proposals convincingly
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Middle managers and department heads
  • Team leaders with growing responsibility
  • Project managers
  • Specialists moving into management
  • Future leaders
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Strategic analysis
  • Prioritisation
  • Business acumen
  • Proposal writing
  • Systems view
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1What Strategy Really Is

  1. 09:00–10:08Strategy versus operations
  2. 10:08–11:00Levels of strategy
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Levels of strategy (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53The manager’s strategic role
  6. 12:53–14:00Exercise: reading your organisation’s strategy

Day 2Analysing the Environment

  1. 09:00–10:08PESTLE and trend analysis
  2. 10:08–11:00Competitor and customer analysis
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Competitor and customer analysis (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Strengths and capabilities
  6. 12:53–14:00Workshop: environment scan

Day 3From Strategy to Team Priorities

  1. 09:00–10:08Cascading objectives
  2. 10:08–11:00Strategic alignment checks
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Strategic alignment checks (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Resource choices
  6. 12:53–14:00Exercise: aligning team goals

Day 4Spotting Opportunities

  1. 09:00–10:08Innovation and improvement ideas
  2. 10:08–11:00Risk and scenario thinking
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Risk and scenario thinking (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Evaluating options
  6. 12:53–14:00Case study: strategic choice

Day 5Selling Strategic Ideas

  1. 09:00–10:08Building a business case
  2. 10:08–11:00Presenting to senior leaders
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Presenting to senior leaders (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Handling objections
  6. 12:53–14:00Final presentations

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Rome 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Barcelona 18 Jan - 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 18 Jan - 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Feb - 5 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Feb - 26 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
London 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Mar - 19 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Rome 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Vienna 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 10 May - 14 May 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Rome 31 May - 4 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 31 May - 4 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 21 Jun - 25 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Paris 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Barcelona 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 16 Aug - 20 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 16 Aug - 20 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Sept - 10 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 27 Sept - 1 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 27 Sept - 1 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Dubai 18 Oct - 22 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 18 Oct - 22 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Istanbul 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Vienna 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Nov - 26 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register
Cape Town 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Dec - 17 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
€1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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