The modern job is a paradox. While roles today increasingly demand creativity and independent decision-making, job descriptions still cling to outdated notions of routine tasks and static responsibilities. This disconnect stems from a time when most jobs were repetitive, routine, and clearly defined—like operating machinery in a factory or wielding a pickaxe in a mine.
But the world of work has shifted. Nearly 40% of jobs now require creativity, judgment, and adaptability. These roles resemble living systems more than machines, evolving constantly in response to new challenges and opportunities. The question is: how do you truly add value in this dynamic environment?
Aristotle offers us a profound lens through which to understand this shift. In his view, science deals with things that cannot be other than they are—the predictable, unchanging truths of the natural world. Strategy, however, deals with things that can be otherwise. It’s rooted in human decision-making, the domain of possibility, uncertainty, and change.
While modern science has pushed the boundaries of what we once thought unchangeable—revealing complexities in everything from quantum physics to human biology—framing our thinking in Aristotle’s context is still valuable. The distinction between necessity (what must be) and possibility (what can be) offers clarity in navigating today’s complexities.
In the workplace, routine tasks may follow Aristotle’s notion of necessity—they are stable, repetitive, and predictable. But where you truly add value is in navigating the areas of possibility. Strategic thinking is about making deliberate choices in an environment where outcomes are not preordained. It’s about deciding Where to Play and How to Win in a world of competing priorities, scarce resources, and shifting landscapes.
To thrive in this environment:
- Focus where you can have the most impact. Ask, “Where can I uniquely create value that aligns with my organization’s goals and my personal aspirations?”
- Develop a system to course-correct. Strategy is not about guarantees; it’s about increasing your odds of success and quickly adapting when the unexpected occurs.
- Balance creativity with judgment. Recognize the areas where experimentation is necessary, and double down on what works when you find it.
The most successful people and organizations understand that strategy isn’t static. It’s a living process, grounded in Aristotle’s insight: while some truths are immutable, much of life—and work—is open to change and shaped by our choices.