John C. Maxwell points out in his book that those missing links, can be further exhibited through the 11-skillset program one should strive to possess:
- Seeing the Wisdom of Big-Picture Thinking
- Unleashing the Potential of Focused Thinking
- Discovering the Joy of Creative Thinking
- Recognizing the Importance of Realistic Thinking
- Releasing the Power of Strategic Thinking
- Feeling the Energy of Possibility Thinking
- Embracing the Lessons of Reflective Thinking
- Questioning the Acceptance of Popular Thinking
- Encouraging the Participation of Shared Thinking
- Experiencing the Satisfaction of Unselfish Thinking
- Enjoying the Return of Bottom-Line Thinking
If you take a critical view of this methodology, you’ll come to the conclusion that the big picture, is more important than short-term achievement.
Big-time achievers are learning-machines, to say the least. They are never pleased with the knowledge they have, and they strive to learn as they go.
An extraordinary method of expanding your horizons is nurturing the habit of listening. If you plan on making strides towards excellence, you should really consider the fact that you don’t know everything. The expertise of others can be of particular use to you if you’re open-minded.
Big-picture thinkers recognize that they don’t know lots of things. They frequently ask penetrating questions to enlarge their understanding and thinking. If you want to become a better big-picture thinker, then become a good listener.
Intuitively, you probably recognize big-picture thinking as beneficial. Few people want to be closed-minded. A one sets out to be that way.
John even presents a formula that acts as a proof of how crucial your environment is in the pursuit of prosperity:
The Right Thought plus the Right People
in the Right Environment at the Right Time
for the Right Reason = the Right Result
Key Lessons from “How Successful People Think”
- Become a successful thinker
- Start listening; there are a lot of smart people out there
- Read, read, and read some more.
Best Books to Read and Listen 