"Culture eats strategy for breakfast” and other nuggets of wisdom: A reflection on Tom Peters’ contributions and his lasting impact

Dear Reader,

The legendary management guru Tom Peters recently announced he is stepping away from writing after a trailblazing career. For over forty years, he has shaped and redefined the way we think about management, creating a whole new category of thinkers. For those of us who started out in the 80s and 90s, we can still remember the buzz and fresh perspective Peters brought to business education. I, for one, can fondly recall diving into In Search of Excellence, buzzing with excitement as I devoured every page.

Peters gave us more than ideas; he gave us timeless nuggets of wisdom that both established businesses and aspiring startups can use to set themselves apart and stay ahead of the pack. Here are some of my favorites:

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

Yes, we’ve all heard this one. A cliché? Perhaps. But before you roll your eyes, pause and think about it for a second. How much does culture really influence an organization’s success?

Let me give you an example. We recently worked with a top executive in Japan who came in with great intentions—empowering the leadership team, giving them the freedom to throw out the old playbook, and pushing to close the gap between local and global operations. Sounds like a solid strategy, right? The result? Paralysis. The team members were left frustrated and fearful because they simply didn’t know how to operate in this new environment. The existing culture of long consultations, consensus-driven decision-making, and deliberate actions was tossed out the window.?

The strategy was brilliant, but the culture? It wasn’t ready. Or take a pharmaceutical company where the strategy was to be "patient-focused"—relentlessly so. But the reality was different. Medical experts were forbidden from speaking directly to sales, and vice versa, with information flowing only through layers of managers. How can a company be patient-focused when communication is so restricted?

So, ask yourself: How is your culture eating your strategy for breakfast?

“Leaders don’t create followers; they create more leaders.”

As someone passionate about developing outstanding leaders, this quote deeply resonates with me. Sure, the first step to leadership is gaining followers, but standing out means creating more leaders. That’s the real differentiator.?

In my work with existing and aspiring women leaders across Asia, some truly stand out. Why? Not only do they have a keen eye for business, but they also enjoy driving it forward. Most importantly, they develop environments where others can lead, experiment, and step up. They take themselves out of the equation. Creating a space for others to grow is not just a strategy—it’s a legacy.

Here’s a question to ponder: How are you creating more leaders, not just followers?

“Excellence is what you do in the next five minutes."

This is perhaps my favorite Peters quote. Why? It’s action-oriented. It’s about commitment. It’s about taking ownership. These three elements come up time and again in coaching sessions. Whether working with young or seasoned leaders, I often find that the "action" part is the hardest to nail down. We talk about "walking the talk" all the time, but identifying that first step is easier said than done.?

This could be the Business Unit Head in a pharma company who immediately addresses a quality issue, or a top executive who takes swift action after reviewing an engagement survey. Excellence isn't just a grand idea—it’s in the small, everyday actions.

So, here’s my challenge: What action will you take in the next five minutes to drive excellence?

For more thoughts on Tom Peters and his contributions to leadership, head over to my blog .

Mentor Speed Dating: Guiding the Next Wave of Innovators

I’m thrilled and privileged to be part of the first mentor group for the inaugural Techstars Tokyo Accelerator Tokyo class of 2024. For those unfamiliar, Techstars is a global startup accelerator that provides guidance, support, and limited funding in exchange for equity—a launching pad for some of the world’s most innovative startups.?

This year, we had a fascinating line-up: 12 mentors, 12 startups, and an incredibly diverse mix of industries. From ADHD-friendly software to manga publishing and infertility treatment solutions, the breadth of ideas was both impressive and inspiring. Now, I’m honored to step into the role of lead mentor for one of these visionary founders and will be working closely with them over the next three months.?

As I dive into this exciting journey, I look forward to learning, growing, and perhaps even discovering new insights that I can share with all of you. Stay tuned for more updates from the front lines of innovation!

Recent Project: Embedding a Coaching Culture in a Global Pharma Giant

For the past 18 months, we, at Kay Group, have had the privilege of leading a transformative project within the medical department of a top 5 global pharmaceutical company. Our goal? To embed coaching as a natural part of the managerial toolkit—turning it into ‘muscle memory’ for managers so that coaching becomes second nature in their everyday leadership.

This bespoke, hands-on approach has been highly curated and tailored to the company's needs—definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. What we’ve learned along the way is fascinating: coaching isn’t for everyone. Some managers, despite understanding it conceptually, simply don’t embrace coaching because they don’t believe in that style of working.?

It brings to mind another timeless nugget from Tom Peters: “Hire for attitude. Train for skills.” This rings especially true when it comes to embedding a coaching culture. Attitude is the key to making coaching stick and using coaching questions effectively in the fabric of the organization.?

Curious about how we’ve made it work? I’d be happy to chat more about this transformative journey and what it means for companies striving to build a coaching culture that lasts.

Happy reading, and reflections!

Warm regards,

Karin