You're navigating a critical business strategy decision. How can you sway your boss's choices effectively?

While actively listening is great, it's even more important to anticipate your boss’s unspoken needs and concerns. Think of it like Steve Jobs predicting that consumers would want an iPhone before they even knew they did. Yes, align your strategy with the company’s goals, but go further—understand what keeps them up at night and propose solutions before they even ask. Anticipation builds trust and shows initiative.

To sway your boss's choices on a critical business strategy decision, present a well-researched case with clear data and analysis. Highlight the benefits and potential risks of your recommendation, aligning it with the company’s goals and priorities. Use persuasive communication to address concerns and provide actionable insights. Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the impact and presenting compelling evidence can help influence their decision effectively.

Since strategy is about deciding what not to do (Peter Drucker), you should present not only one but several cases, based on different hypotheses/scenarios. You need to demonstrate not just that your recommendation is great, but this is the best one of all possible options. By doing so, you show your boss that you are analytical and systematic, and you offer him/her the opportunity to make a sound management decision, which will be appreciated.

A veces hay que diversificar la estrategia de comunicación. No depender solo de un método de comunicación (pero siempre hablando claro). Utiliza múltiples canales como reuniones, correos electrónicos, boletines y presentaciones para asegurarte de que todos los miembros del equipo estén informados. Involucrar a todos y fomenta el compromiso, y diálogo abierto. Comunica la estrategia a todas las partes interesadas, incluyendo directores, gerentes y empleados. Esto asegura que todos estén alineados con los objetivos y estrategias de la empresa.

Communicating Strategy Effectively to Your Boss Keep It Simple and Clear ? Use straightforward language, avoiding jargon. Utilise Storytelling for Impact ? Share examples to make points memorable and relatable. Practice for Confidence ? Rehearse your pitch to ensure a smooth delivery and readiness for questions. Mind Your Delivery ? Focus on tone, body language, and engagement to enhance persuasion. Effective communication is not just about the message but also the delivery.

One way to influence critical decisions with elements is to propose prototyping—failing quickly and cheaply, as well as succeeding. It reduces risks by implementing on a small scale and allows adjustments based on real feedback. This approach enables evidence-based decision-making, allowing us to take bold strategies more aligned with divergent visions within the team towards a common goal of innovation.

Proposing a pilot isn’t merely about “testing the waters.” It’s also a clever way to delay full-scale commitment while still moving forward. This gives time for adjustments, stakeholder buy-in, and creative problem-solving. As Edison said, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Use a pilot as a sandbox to innovate and reduce risks—while laying the groundwork for your grander vision.

When proposing a pilot, it’s crucial to frame it as an opportunity to validate a big vision in manageable steps. By testing a concept in a controlled environment, you gather invaluable insights while managing risk. In my work, we’ve often discovered breakthrough solutions through pilots that connect existing technologies in new ways, reducing a multi-decade vision to just a few years of development. The key is to engage the right ecosystem and embrace feedback quickly to refine and accelerate execution.

The follow-up isn't just about reminding your boss to think about your strategy; it's about demonstrating your commitment to ongoing improvement. Think of it like Elon Musk sending regular SpaceX updates to keep investors in the loop. A strategic follow-up shows you're invested in refining your idea and ensures the conversation doesn’t stall.