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Provincial Network on Developmental Services
Ontario
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Strategic thinking requires initiative, which is the ability to independently decide what to do and when to do it without relying on someone else’s direction for short and long-term impacts.

People who demonstrate strategic thinking take initiative to thoughtfully respond to current situations and are able to proactively anticipate future opportunities and challenges while ensuring a person directed approach.

It is understanding trends and issues, and translating these into ideas, advice and activities that impact various stakeholders.

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Growth Levels
Emerging

Takes initiative to respond to problems and opportunities

  • Recognizes and acts independently while considering the impact on others
  • Goes beyond normal expectations
  • Takes responsibility for their own actions and inactions and seeks to improve
  • Considers the appropriate timeframe of action
  • Seeks opportunities to support/implement person directed plans
  • Voluntarily takes the first steps to address immediate obstacles/challenges and take advantage of opportunities
  • Understands when to independently initiate a solution, or when to involve others
  • Liaises with managers, colleagues, family members and other community members as appropriate to accomplish goals
  • Uses knowledge of trends in community resources in supporting people with developmental disabilities to ensure people being supported have access to innovative and relevant goals and activities
  • Aligns personal work with organizational mission and goals in operational areas
Evolving

Thinks ahead and plans

  • Uses professional judgement to decide/act when the situation demands a quick response, while using a person directed approach
  • Communicates and interprets the vision and goals to others within the scope of responsibility
  • Identifies who can provide support and asks for input/help as appropriate
  • Demonstrates time management with effective prioritization and follows up on progress to ensure task completion
  • Identifies potential future directions for the work area
  • Monitors their work and that of the team to ensure alignment with vision and values, and current/future trends in services and supports
  • Knows when to take a long-term perspective in addressing an issue affecting people who are receiving support and when to focus on short-term issues
  • Continually recommends innovative approaches and services
Leading

Promotes strategic direction

  • Evaluates plan to assess the gap between the current state and desired future direction and adapts as necessary
  • Is goal-oriented to produce results that lead to better outcomes for people supported and their plans, families, and community connections
  • Supports others to understand the goal and vision by providing the rationale and resources for them
  • Energetically and persistently promotes strategic objectives to create understanding of the importance of the strategy and vision, and of trends in the direction and priorities of the developmental services sector
  • Works with teams to set program/operational goals and plans in keeping with the strategic direction and/or vision of the individual
  • Facilitates contingency plans
  • Defines issues, generates opinions, and selects solutions that are consistent with the strategy and vision
  • Mentors staff to set strategic goals for their own scope of work and area of responsibility
Influencing

Develops a vision

  • Considers future conflicting scenarios and opportunities and promotes leading edge practices and approaches to set new directions
  • Identifies potential areas of risk and liability, and proactively creates strategies to minimize risk while considering future outcomes
  • Takes initiative to ensure person centered systems within community, organizational, sectors(s) and societal levels
  • Foresees long term obstacles and opportunities and acts accordingly
  • Leads in the development of strategic planning and visioning
  • Provides direction and communication to encourage alignment with the vision
  • Continuously articulates the vision and strategy in compelling terms to develop understanding and promote acceptance/commitment among staff and stakeholders
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