“We found the perfect strategy” ranks with “And they lived happily ever after” as a perpetual myth. A strategy is never excellent in and of itself; it is shaped, enhanced, or limited by implementation. Top leaders can provide the framework and tools for a team, but the game is won on the playing field. When a strategy looks brilliant, it’s because of the quality of execution. A dumb idea is the one you fumble in the field by missing critical details, like how customers would react or what competitors might change while you’re still picking up the ball.
Smart Leaders Focus on Execution First and Strategy Second
Four things to focus on.
November 06, 2017
Summary.
What is the perfect strategy? In this piece, the author argues that what matters most is not having the best strategy, but rather, how you implement the strategy you’ve got. She goes on to suggest that leaders whose strategies succeed tend to focus on four implementation imperatives: First, they question everything, overhauling traditional organizational structures and processes if need be. Second, they inform all their staff of the new strategy, but empower a few champions to lead it. Third, they keep their relationships with frontline managers tight but the rules of execution loose. And finally, they quickly modify their strategies when things don’t go as planned (and things rarely go as planned).
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How to develop a winning strategy—and put it to work.
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New!
HBR Learning
Strategy Planning and Execution Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Strategy Planning and Execution. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to develop a winning strategy—and put it to work.