Getting Strategy Right
Let’s talk about something that lies at the very heart of business success: strategy. Strategy is about making the right decisions that position your team and organization for long-term success. It’s not about reacting to what’s happening today, but about proactively shaping tomorrow.
In my journey as a business owner and now guide, I’ve learned that getting strategy right requires both clear vision and disciplined execution. It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind, but strategy is what helps you and your team stay focused on the big picture. So how do we, as leaders, embrace and master this crucial aspect of leadership?
1. Clarity Before Action: Aligning with Long-Term Vision
A common mistake leaders make is jumping into action without a clear plan. It’s tempting to want to fix problems or chase opportunities immediately but taking the time to understand where you’re going and why will save you from wasting resources and energy. Strategy starts with clarity—not just for today, but for the future.
When we talk about clarity, we’re talking about vision—where you want to be in 3 years, 1 year, and even 90 days from now. This long-term vision is the roadmap that guides your actions. Without it, you’ll find yourself reacting to immediate issues rather than moving your team forward with purpose. Knowing your 3-year, 1-year, and 90-day targets ensures that every decision you make today is part of a larger, more meaningful plan.
Ask yourself:
What is the ultimate 3-year capability of my team, organization, or personal life?
What 1-year goals do we need to hit to be on track for that vision?
What are the 90-day priorities/ROCKS we should focus on to keep moving forward?
Clear strategy aligns your actions with your long-term objectives, ensuring that every step you take, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger vision. With this roadmap, you’ll move from short-term reactivity to long-term intentionality, driving success over time.
2. Focus on What Moves the Needle—And Understand Your Role in It
In the sea of things that demand your attention, not everything is equally important. One of the keys to good strategy is focusing on what will drive the greatest results. As a leader, your role is critical here. You’re not just executing a plan; you’re actively shaping the strategy through your insights, decisions, and leadership. You are on the front lines, understanding your team’s capabilities, challenges, and the dynamics of your specific function within the organization.
This is where the 80/20 rule comes in—identify the 20% of activities that will generate 80% of your outcomes. Your contribution to strategy is in helping your team prioritize those high-leverage activities and ensuring they align with the bigger picture. As leaders on a team, it’s up to you to filter out the noise and guide your people toward what matters most. Don’t wait for senior leadership to define everything for you—step into the role of a strategist.
Ask yourself:
What few activities will have the greatest impact on our success?
How can I help my team focus on the high-leverage activities?
What insights from my team’s day-to-day work can I bring to the broader strategic conversation?
By focusing on what moves the needle and contributing to the strategic direction, you’re not just implementing a plan—you’re shaping it. Great strategy is about ruthless prioritization and alignment across all levels. By narrowing your focus and bringing valuable insights from your area, you’ll increase not only your team’s effectiveness, but the overall success of the organization.
3. Adaptability is Key
No strategy, no matter how brilliant, survives first contact with reality unchanged. That’s why adaptability is key. As leaders, you must be willing to pivot when necessary, responding to changes in the market, the competitive landscape, or internal challenges. This doesn’t mean you’re abandoning your strategy; it means you’re refining it.
Ask yourself:
Am I regularly evaluating our strategy to ensure it remains relevant?
How am I encouraging my team to be adaptable while staying aligned with our strategic objectives?
Strategy is not static—it evolves as conditions change. Leaders need to balance staying the course with being nimble enough to adjust when required.
4. Communicate Your Strategy Relentlessly
A great strategy is worthless if your team doesn’t understand it. One of the most important jobs of a leader is to communicate the strategy clearly and consistently. It’s not enough to talk about it once a year in a planning session—strategy should be a part of your team’s ongoing conversations. Your role is to ensure everyone understands how their work contributes to the broader goals.
Ask yourself:
How often am I discussing strategy with my team?
Do they know how their daily tasks align with the company’s strategic objectives?
When your team is clear on the strategy and how they fit into it, they’ll be more engaged and effective.
5. Measure What Matters
Lastly, you need to measure your progress. Good strategy requires good data—metrics that tell you whether or not you’re on track. This is where tools like scorecards come into play. They provide the feedback loops you need to course-correct and stay aligned with your strategic goals.
Ask yourself:
Are we tracking the right metrics that directly impact our strategic objectives?
How can we use data to inform our decision-making and adjust our course?
Metrics are your guideposts, ensuring you’re making steady progress toward your vision.
Conclusion: Strategy as a Way of Thinking
Strategy isn’t a one-time event; it’s a way of thinking. It’s about being intentional, focusing on what matters, staying adaptable, and ensuring your team is aligned and informed. As a leader, mastering strategy will set you apart. You’ll not only lead your team to success, but you’ll also build the discipline needed to scale your impact over time.
Remember, great leaders don’t just react—they create the future by strategically positioning themselves and their teams for success. Embrace this mindset, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a strategic leader who delivers real results.