Cognitive range operates through “resolution control”—the ability to adjust your analytical zoom level based on the situation.
Think of it like a camera with variable zoom. A fixed-lens camera captures one view well but misses everything else. A variable-zoom lens lets you capture the landscape AND the details, switching as needed.
Most professionals are fixed-lens thinkers. Cognitive range makes you variable-zoom.
The Four Resolutions
Strategic Resolution (10,000-foot view)
Market structure, competitive dynamics, long-term trajectories. This is where you identify paradigm shifts rather than incremental changes.
The question: What fundamental forces are shaping this space?
Structural Resolution (1,000-foot view)
Business models, value chains, organizational architectures. This is where you understand how pieces connect and where leverage exists.
The question: What mechanisms drive outcomes?
Operational Resolution (100-foot view)
Processes, workflows, unit economics. This is where strategy meets execution.
The question: How does this actually work in practice?
Tactical Resolution (Ground level)
Specific decisions, immediate actions, concrete implementations. This is where reality tests assumptions.
The question: What do we do Monday morning?
The Fluid Movement
Resolution control isn’t just about having knowledge at different levels—it’s about moving between them fluidly and translating as you go.
You can skip levels when appropriate, but you must maintain coherence across the entire stack.
The Core Capability
The rare individual who can traverse all four resolutions—and translate between them—becomes irreplaceable.
Gennaro is the creator of FourWeekMBA, which reached about four million business people, comprising C-level executives, investors, analysts, product managers, and aspiring digital entrepreneurs in 2022 alone | He is also Director of Sales for a high-tech scaleup in the AI Industry | In 2012, Gennaro earned an International MBA with emphasis on Corporate Finance and Business Strategy.
