There’s a strong bias toward the cognitive side of strategy. If we want our strategies to be effective, it’s time we pay more attention to the often forgotten social side of strategy as well. Whenever people talk about strategy, there typically is a strong overemphasis on the cognitive, intellectual side. The focus is usually on analysis, decisions, planning, KPIs, OKRs; on what the organization’s strategy should be and which actions are needed to implement it. But, there’s also a social, relational side to strategy that is at least as important, but which receives far less attention than it deserves. Developing and implementing strategy affects people’s mindset, positions and relationships. Without also addressing these social aspects, any strategy is doomed to fail. To rebalance this imbalance, we need to pay more attention to the social side of strategy. We can do so along three key dimensions: strategy content, strategy process, and strategy context. Strategy CONTENT: Motivation and Excitement as Driving Force? Incorporating the motivations of individuals is crucial, as a "perfect" strategy on paper can fail if it lacks alignment, while an imperfect but aligned strategy can be unstoppable. Strategy PROCESS: Creating Ownership and Contribution Involving employees in the development process fosters a sense of ownership and contribution, making the adoption and execution of the strategy smoother. Strategy CONTEXT: The Effect on Mindset, Positions and Relationships Recognizing the impact of a new strategy on individuals is crucial for successful implementation throughout the entire process. Looking Ahead: Soulful Strategy With its emphasis on the cognitive side, traditional strategy is often soulless strategy. It is “cold” and clinical and developed based on what seems economically best for the organization. Strategy can’t be that reductionist anymore. We need it to be more than that; human-centered, social, soulful. Soulful Strategy is strategy that deeply pays attention to these three social aspects of strategy. Not just from a content perspective; also from a process and context perspective. It leads to a strategy that people want, that they own, and that they accept the consequences of. → For the complete version of this article and other more in-depth articles on strategy, join my community and subscribe to my Soulful Strategy newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e_ytzAgU #strategicgrowth #teamagreement #communicationstrategy
Absolutely agree with the emphasis on the social side of strategy. In my 20+ years of experience leading commercial teams and change management, I've seen firsthand how strategies that incorporate the human element—not just in content but in process and context—yield the most sustainable and impactful results. Engaging teams in the strategy development process not only fosters ownership but also ensures that the strategy is lived and breathed across all levels of the organization. This holistic approach, where motivation, ownership, and the relational dynamics are considered, transforms strategy from being merely a document to a driving force that aligns with the organization's soul. It's time we champion strategies that are as human-centered as they are goal-oriented. #SoulfulStrategy #HumanCenteredLeadership"
I've found that using storytelling as a tool to elicit an emotional bias toward a strategy is a great way to get people to be open-minded and consider its logical aspects. People have a short attention span with so many things competing for their attention, so creating that initial emotional bond early helps you stand above the noise to get your point across.
Ralph Touwslager?lex te riele?Viktor Mirovic Deze man komt om de haverklap met dit soort mooie posts: aanrader
I love how you are bringing change leadership principles to strategy!
Employee Culture is Paramount.
Very great point how strategy can be implemented more successfully
Jeroen you need a mobile app, directory for this content
Valuable insight Jeroen Kraaijenbrink, thanks for sharing! Most models and conversations about the "social" side of strategy today focus on the community and environment aspects of business, which is ok, but certainly keeping in mind the "internal society - employees" within a company is a valuable addition to strategic thinking.
Very interesting insight, Jeroen Kraaijenbrink, thank you for sharing!
Management & Business Advisor, Trainer, Coach & Facilitator
1 年It is indeed all about capability & capacity i.e. competency to keep balance and equilibrium between many organizational existential paradoxes much needed to be maintained for its sustainability which is possible even if not that much probable! It is then all about balance and equilibrium between growth & development, welfare & well being, quantity & quality, efficiency & effectiveness, individual & collective, mind of a manager and heart of a leader, I & we competition & cooperation etc. Let us then explore emergence of soul of navigators at the edge of experiments & experience who are competent to carry out paradoxes in VUCA business lanscape towards progress, wellness, efficacy & collaboration needed for adaptation & not necessarily conforming to complexities.