A strategy in NLP can be defined as particular actions leading to an outcome, which can be reproduced repeatably by a sequence of thoughts, and or a sequence of internal representational systems and external experiences that lead to an outcome.
Whether we realise it or not, everything we do in our life will involve a strategy, and mostly the strategy will be at a subconscious level, that is, we are not aware at a conscious level that we will be running a procedure/strategy.
A strategy is how we process the actions that we do, these actions could be for making decisions, learning, remembering, doing our job, taking part in sport activities, being motivated. How do we do what we do, by using our internal representational systems (click for more information), and being influenced by external experiences.
Each person will use a different strategy than the next person, and it will explain why there are differences in peoples capabilities, how for example Gianni Golfera, the man with the biggest memory in the world, can remember more than other people. Has Gianni got a different brain than other people? Tests say no, he has the same brain structure as the next person, it is how he uses it, the strategies he uses to retain information that make the difference. http://www.c4memory.com
There are good decision makers, good leaders, and good sales people. Each will adopt or employ a strategy that works for them to achieve excellence in what they do,
It is a presupposition in NLP, that if anyone can do something, then you too can do it, by learning the strategy employed, and reproducing it or teaching it to others so you/they too can achieve the same excellence. I disagree with this statement, for example I am 95 years old and want to become a marathon runner. If I modeled or found the strategies used by Paula Radcliffe, a world marathon record holder, and ran the same strategies employed by Paula on myself, would I be as good as her? No. I am a man, I am older, and my physical build is not the same, but perhaps if the strategy is ecologically acceptable to me, I could achieve an excellence to my level.
We elicit strategies by modeling the internal and external representational systems of a person.
A strategy will always work to give an outcome or result. If that result is not what is wanted, then the strategy should be changed.
Often a person has only one strategy to achieve and outcome. If we can provide another alternative strategy to get the same outcome, then that person has choice.
Consider that the only way you know how to get to work is to drive your car, what would happen if the car broke down?
If I taught you how you could catch a bus to get to work, now you have two strategies or ways to get to work.
Teach you how to get there by walking, yet another. Riding a bike, another, so on and so forth.
It has been said that if a General of an army has one more strategy to fight the battle than the enemy, he will have more chance to win the battle.
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