This episode explores The Strategist's Mind, a deep dive into the psychology of victory and why strategic thinking is infinitely more powerful than brute force. We dissect the mental models that allow great leaders and thinkers to win not by overpowering their opposition, but by out-thinking them at every turn.

Through four timeless examples of strategic genius—the Trojan Horse, Napoleon's masterpiece at Austerlitz, Scipio's takedown of Hannibal's elephants, and Bobby Fischer's legendary "poisoned pawn" game—we uncover the core principles of deception, adaptation, and calculated risk. This is an essential listen for any executive who wants to move beyond reactive, head-on problem-solving and master the art of winning before the battle even begins.

Subscribe for more deep dives into the mental models that define modern leadership.

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Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 - Introduction: Brute Force vs. The Strategic Mind

01:28 - The Trojan Horse: The Power of Psychological Deception

04:00 - Napoleon at Austerlitz: The Weaponisation of Fake Weakness

06:33 - Scipio vs. Hannibal: How Adaptation Neutralises Strength

09:12 - Bobby Fischer's Gambit: The Art of Calculated Risk

12:15 - Conclusion: The Core Principles of Strategic Victory

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/

2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF YouTube channel awaits.

3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.

This episode deconstructs The Illusion of Quick Wins, a dangerous leadership mindset where a focus on short-termism systematically destroys long-term value and compounding growth. We explore why the most seductive, immediate solutions often trigger disastrous unintended consequences, hollowing out an organisation's core strength from the inside.

Through a series of powerful case studies—from the classic fable of the Golden Goose and Australia's Cane Toad disaster to the slow-motion collapse of the Roman Empire—we reveal the hidden costs of prioritising the present at the expense of the future. Finally, we unpack the science of Chaos Theory to explain why the smallest compromises can compound into the largest failures. This is an essential guide for leaders who want to build resilient, sustainable success.

Subscribe for more deep dives into the mental models that define modern leadership.

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST’S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 - Introduction: The Short-Term Suicide Pact

01:30 - The Golden Goose Fallacy: Killing the Source of Your Value

03:45 - The Cane Toad Disaster: When Quick Fixes Create a Plague

06:22 - The Fall of Rome: Death by a Thousand "Smart" Decisions

09:05 - The Butterfly Effect: The Hidden Math of Compounding Failure

11:50 - Conclusion: Escaping the Illusion of Quick Wins

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/

2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF YouTube channel awaits.

3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.

True resilience isn't about being unbreakable; it's about being adaptable. In a world of constant change, the ability to adjust your approach is the most critical factor for success. This episode provides a deep dive into adaptive thinking—the psychological engine that powers mental and emotional resilience.

We uncover the powerful cognitive biases and emotional attachments that lock you into rigid patterns, making you fragile in the face of uncertainty. You will learn the core characteristics of an adaptive mind and a clear framework for developing the mental flexibility needed to bounce back from any setback and thrive under pressure.

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST'S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Introduction

00:36 Say Hello To… Adaptive Thinking

01:59 Adaptive Thinking Self-Assessment Game

03:00 How Does the Lack of Adaptive Thinking Manifest

05:38 The Cost of Low Adaptability in Business & Life

08:43 Psychology Behind Resisting Adaptive Thinking

11:05 Debunking Common Myths, aka Excuses

14:12 Self-reflection Moment - Building Resilience

15:42 Conclusion

ADAPTIVE THINKING SUCCESS RULES

• Be willing to pivot from original plans when new information arises, prioritising adaptability over rigidity.
• Use small-scale experiments to test solutions, gathering data to inform larger decisions.
• Actively seek input from stakeholders (e.g., suppliers, customers) to refine strategies.
• Act quickly to address changes but ensure decisions align with long-term goals.
• Build a mindset that views disruptions as opportunities for improvement, not failures.

COMMON ADAPTABILITY MISTAKES

• Sticking to outdated strategies despite changing conditions, like insisting on the original launch timeline.
• Making hasty changes (e.g., switching to unvetted suppliers) for quick results, risking quality or reputation.
• Failing to test or gather feedback, leading to uninformed pivots that don’t address root issues.
• Avoiding adaptation due to discomfort with uncertainty, missing opportunities for innovation.
• Prioritising immediate fixes (e.g., cutting features for a rushed launch) over sustainable solutions, leading to customer dissatisfaction.

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/
2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF. YouTube channel awaits.
3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.

Are you constantly in 'reaction mode,' fighting fires instead of preventing them? This isn't a time management problem; it's a thinking problem. This episode dives into the essential skill of strategic thinking—the ability to see the bigger picture, connect the dots, and navigate uncertainty in your business, career, and life.

We explore the powerful cognitive biases (like loss aversion and the sunk cost fallacy) that are hard-wired into our brains, making us resist the very long-term thinking that could save us. You'll learn the core characteristics of an expert strategic thinker and a clear process for developing this "superpower" for yourself. This is your guide to moving from stress and reactivity to clarity and control.

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST'S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Introduction

00:49 Say Hello to Strategic Thinking

01:47 Self-Assessment - Core Strategic Thinking Skills

02:50 Recognising Strategic Thinking in Business and Life

04:45 The Hidden Costs of Not Thinking Strategically

06:31 Why Aren’t We All Strategic Thinkers

08:21 Excuses We Come up with Not to Think Strategically

10:25 Strategic Thinking and Planning Processes

13:33 Coaching - Self-reflection Time

STRATEGIC THINKING TOOLS

TOOL 1: THE 5-WHY STRATEGIC LADDER (EQUALLY, A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS & BRAND POSITIONING LADDER TECHNIQUE)

Instead of treating symptoms, excavate root causes:

• Why are sales declining?
• Why are customers leaving?
• Why aren't we retaining them?
• Why isn't our value clear?
• Why haven't we defined our unique position?

This is exactly what we dedicated the whole Illusion of Knowing playlist, and specifically this one to discussing tools that help you dig into root causes, including the Five Why’s.

TOOL 2: THE FUTURE-BACK METHOD (ONE OF scenario planning methodologies)

Start with your 5-year destination, work backwards:

• 2030: Market leader in sustainable fashion
• 2029: Expanded to 10 countries
• 2028: Perfected supply chain
• 2027: Built brand recognition
• 2026: Established core customer base
• 2025: What must I do THIS YEAR?

TOOL 3: THE OPPORTUNITY COST QUESTION

For every yes: "What am I saying no to?"

• If I invest time in this marketing campaign, what strategic initiative gets neglected?
• If I hire for this role, what other capability am I not building?

TOOL 4: OPEN QUESTIONS

Use "why," "how," and "what if" to challenge assumptions. The more uncomfortable, the better. Ask "Why is this issue significant?" instead of "What is the issue?”

If you want to learn about challenging assumptions, you can find more information in these videos.

TOOL 5: THE HELICOPTER VIEW

This technique adapts a therapeutic perspective-taking exercise for strategic thinking.

This works through looking at the situation through five strategic lenses:

• SELF (Company Lens): Internal alignment—core goals, strengths, values
• OTHERS (Stakeholders): External impact—customers, employees, partners
• STOP & REFRAME (Systems Thinking): Challenge assumptions—trends, risks, ripple effects
• OUTSIDER (Neutral View): Objective analysis—how would competitors or analysts critique this?
• WISE MIND (Strategic Decision): Synthesise insights—balance profit, people, principles

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/
2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF. YouTube channel awaits.
3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

The word 'strategy' is one of the most critical, yet most misunderstood, concepts in the business world. It's not a complex plan that takes months to build, nor is it a synonym for tactics. This video strips away the corporate nonsense and the guru-speak to reveal what business strategy actually is: a clear navigation plan for making deliberate choices.

We tackle the common excuses and misconceptions that cause leaders to operate in a constant "firefighting mode," confusing motion with progress. Learn the fundamental difference between operational effectiveness and true strategy, and discover why having a clear plan is the only way to build a profitable, resilient organisation. This is the foundational guide to moving beyond the buzzword and onto the right path.

This is Part 2. If you missed knowing how it works without strategy (spoiler - it does’t), Part 1 is here: FINDING TRUE NORTH.

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST'S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Intro - Summary Part 1

00:41 What’s Strategy? : Cutting through the Nonsense

03:11 Is VUCA Real?

04:24 Strategic Compounding Introduction

04:44 What’s Strategy? : Summary

05:30 What’s Strategy? : The Historical Reality Check

07:09 Excuses Begone: Removing Barriers to Strategy

12:05 The Deeper Truth: Why You Make Yourself Stuck

13:12 On the Right Path to Profitability

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/
2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF. YouTube channel awaits.
3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.

Your obsession with KPIs and dashboards isn't just stressful; it's actively corrupting the very outcomes you're trying to achieve. This episode explores the profound insight of Goodhart's Law: "When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." This is the key to understanding why so many data-driven cultures fail.

We dive into the psychological reasons we become addicted to numbers, creating "toxic achievers" and systemic burnout. You'll learn how to spot when a helpful metric has become a destructive target and how to re-balance quantitative data with the qualitative insights that truly drive success. This is your guide to breaking free from the tyranny of metrics.

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST'S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Say Hello to… the Metric Obsession

05:34 What Do Numbers Mean in Your Business & Life? - Self-Assessment Game

08:01 How Does the Metric Obsession Manifest?

13:39 The Cost of the Metric Obsession in Business & Life

18:18 Psychology Behind Our Love for Numbers & KPIs

20:58 Debunking Common Myths, aka Excuses

24:10 Coaching Time - Self-reflection Moment

25:39 Conclusion

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/
2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF. YouTube channel awaits.
3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.

In a chaotic market, countless businesses are lost at sea—working hard but going nowhere. They are trapped in a "museum of catastrophes," frantically chasing tactics without a compass to guide them. This episode is about finding your true north: the clear, unwavering strategic direction that separates thriving organisations from those that simply drift.

We explore the costly consequences of operating without a map, from wasted resources to team burnout. Using the powerful analogy of the bamboo farmer, we demonstrate the immense value of establishing a clear direction and patiently sticking to it. If you feel your business is adrift, this is your guide to regaining control, finding clarity, and setting a course for sustainable success.

And if you want to learn what real strategy is about, here is Part 2 for you: STRATEGY BEYOND THE BUZZWORD.

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST'S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Becoming a Business Autopsy Expert

01:46 The Museum of Business Catastrophes

03:46 The Strategy Paradox

04:29 The Bamboo Farmer's Wisdom

05:47 Lost Businesses: The Navigation Problem

07:53 Lost Businesses: When the Navigation System Works

09:26 The Problem with Strategy (Anti-Guru Rant)

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/
2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF. YouTube channel awaits.
3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.

Every leader wants exponential growth, but few understand the principle that truly drives it: the snowball effect. This isn't about luck; it's about the deliberate power of a consistent business strategy. This episode explains why the relentless pursuit of short-term wins actively works against this powerful force.

We explore the psychology behind our obsession with immediate results and uncover the cognitive biases that prevent us from building long-term momentum. You'll learn how to shift your focus from scattered tactics to a singular, compounding strategy that gathers power over time. Discover how to build your own "strategic snowball" and create the sustainable, resilient business growth you've been searching for.

Missed Part 1? Then, it’s time to learn about the difference between Profit and Profitability with "The Profit Paradox."

UNLOCK THE STRATEGIST'S EDGE

Your inbox deserves substance, not filler. Download the 100+ page Business Strategy Toolkit - “From Purpose To Profit.” Includes strategy templates, decision filters, and customer understanding frameworks to dissect, diagnose & dominate your strategy. No spam. Just clarity & rule-breaking insight.

Download here: https://www.erinandreacraske.com/strategy-toolkit

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Profit vs. Profitability summary

00:48 Short-termism Madness: The Productivity Illusion

02:06 Short-termism Madness: The Cultural Programming

03:31 Short-termism Madness: Business Culture, East vs West

04:54 Short-termism Madness: The Choice & Its Consequences

06:04 The Power of Compounding: Why Einstein Was Right

07:57 The Power of Compounding: The Snowball Effect

10:53 The Power of Compounding: The Double Edge Sword

12:06 How to Lose Both, Profit and Profitability

13:42 Short-termism Destroying Humanity

KEEP IN TOUCH

1. Fancy weekly quick-read summaries? Subscribe here: https://erinandreacraske.substack.com/
2. Enjoy video content? I’ve got you covered. The UNBOUND MIND. UNBOUND SELF. YouTube channel awaits.
3. Ready to ditch the 4S of Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness in one go and for all? Drop me a line on www.erinandreacraske.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Time to set yourself free!

ABOUT UNBOUND MIND

UNBOUND MIND confronts the prisons of our own making: Stress, Struggle, Suffering, and Stuckness.

We operate on one radical truth: the psychological traps that sink businesses are the exact same traps that screw your life and your mental health.

Here, we dissect the cognitive biases, flawed cultural narratives, and comfortable lies that keep you trapped. This isn't about easy, ego-soothing answers. It's about giving you the tools of provocative thinking to reclaim your power, forge resilience, and achieve true cognitive freedom.

This channel is a toolkit for leaders, thinkers, and anyone ready to take responsibility for their own mind.

Subscribe to get unbound.