How to Think Strategically Under Pressure: Lessons from My QStrata 2026 Keynote

By Professor John Hale, The Strategy Guy. Updated 10 July 2026.

This month I had the privilege of presenting on the final day of QStrata 2026 with my Strategic Thinking Under Pressure keynote. There's nothing quite like a ballroom full of managers and leaders wanting to learn how to ask better questions.

McKinsey research shows executives now spend nearly 40% of their time making decisions, yet 61% admit at least half of that time is used badly. Better questions are the fastest fix.

A second highlight came after the keynote, when a motivated group of strata managers and business owners joined my breakout session on Business Negotiation Skills. We ran multiple three-way role-plays and in a surprisingly short space of time the group successfully immersed themselves deeply in the art of the deal.

Thanks to Laura Bos and her entire SCAQ team for inviting me.

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