“The biggest crisis of our generation, has just become the second biggest, for now…
20th March 2020
Develop your leadership communication skills by learning to articulate strategy well
19th February 2021
It’s not you… It’s strategy
What has breaking up got to do with strategy?
According to Wikipedia, ‘It’s not you, it’s me, is a popular phrase used in the context of breaking up, and is intended to ease the dumpee’s feeling in the knowledge that it wasn’t their fault, but rather the fault of the dumper.’
When two people start in a relationship, there is often the intent with at least one of the parties to make it work. Alas, relationships can be complicated. They require an investment of time, honesty and consideration. They need to be valued and nurtured.
So, what has all this got to do with strategy?
Well, just like people, strategy gets frequently ‘dumped.’ There are quite a few similarities between people dumping each other and strategy getting ‘dumped’ by business people. The fact is that many businesses lose interest in strategy sooner rather than later. However, don’t expect too many business people ever to utter the words, “It’s not you, but me.”
It is ‘strategy’ which is to blame
- “It is too complicated.”
- “It takes too long.”
- “We don’t have time for strategy.”
- “We are better at being agile.”
Why it is worth ‘sticking at it.’
‘Strategy’ is an essential business discipline. There needs to be the intent to make it work. Expect things to be complicated. Developing, communicating and executing strategy requires an investment of time, honesty and consideration. A good plan does need to be valued, nurtured, adapted and even changed. Strategy goes on. Perhaps a different plan than originally intended, but strategy is vital, so it goes on.
The good news…
…is that there is a simple solution to having a happy relationship with strategy. Just as in real people relationships, open and honest dialogue is the key to success.
Talk about it
We should aim for good productive conversations which avoid unnecessary management speak and jargon. Instead, talking about strategy in down-to-earth ways which the people who matter can understand. Talking it through delivers clarity and understanding.
If you want to know more about articulating strategy well so that you can open up conversations with your various stakeholders, contact us for more information. We would be happy to help.
