FTSR Ed.24: Most Strategies Fail and How to Fix Them

Why Do So Many Strategies Fail?

In my years of facilitating strategy with executive teams, I’ve encountered a hard truth: many strategies fail. And they don’t just fail a little; they fail spectacularly. The reason isn’t always obvious, but it usually boils down to a few common pitfalls that organizations stumble into repeatedly. If you’ve been wondering why your strategy isn’t delivering the results you hoped for, it’s time to look at the root causes and explore actionable solutions.

Lack of Clarity: The Silent Killer

The first reason most strategies fail is a lack of clarity. Leaders often conflate strategy with planning, mistaking a set of actions for a strategy. The result? A bloated, unfocused approach that tries to do too much at once. A real strategy is about making choices. It’s about deciding where to focus your resources and, equally importantly, where not to focus them.

To fix this, start by defining what winning looks like for your organization. This isn’t about vague statements like “being the market leader”; it’s about specific, measurable outcomes. Ask yourself: What are the three things we need to achieve to consider this strategy a success? Anything outside of those three things is a distraction.

How to Get Clear: Start with Your Vision

A clear strategy begins with a clear vision. Where do you see your business in two? years? Five years? What does success look like? Your vision should be a guiding star, something that informs every strategic decision you make. Without a vision, a clear description of your ambition, your strategy might end up being just a collection of tactics, and tactics alone won’t get you where you want to go.

Avoiding the Trap of Analysis Paralysis

Another common pitfall is analysis paralysis. Leaders often feel they need every piece of data before they can make a decision. While data is important, over-reliance on it can lead to stagnation. Speed often trumps perfection. It’s better to make a decision with 80% certainty today than with 100% certainty in a month from now—because waiting means you don’t learn while implementing, and learning and tweaking strategy as you go is a key aspect of strategy success?

Embracing Imperfection: Act, Learn, Adjust

Great strategies are not set in stone. They evolve. They adapt to new information and changing circumstances. The key is to act, learn from actions, and adjust your approach. This requires a mindset shift from “getting it right the first time” to “getting it right over time.” Encourage your team to view strategy as a living process rather than a one-time event.

The Execution Gap: Where Strategies Go to Die

Even the best strategies are doomed if they aren’t executed well. This is the dreaded “execution gap,” where good ideas go to die. The problem usually isn’t with the strategy itself but with the follow-through. Leaders fail to communicate the strategy effectively, and as a result, their teams don’t understand what’s expected of them.

Bridging the Execution Gap: Communication is Key

To bridge the execution gap, make sure every team member understands not just the what, but the why behind your strategy. Use every opportunity to communicate your strategy: team meetings, one-on-ones, company-wide emails, and even casual conversations. Reinforce the key messages over and over again until they become second nature.

Aligning Your Team Around the Strategy

Alignment is crucial for successful execution. If your team isn’t aligned around the strategy, they’ll be pulling in different directions, wasting time and resources. Alignment starts at the top. As a leader, you must ensure that your executive team is fully on board with the strategy and understands their role in executing it.

Creating a Culture of Accountability

Finally, create a culture of accountability. Make sure everyone knows what they’re responsible for and how their performance will be measured. Use regular check-ins to assess progress and address any issues before they become major roadblocks. Remember, a culture of accountability starts with you. If you’re not holding yourself accountable, you can’t expect your team to do so.

Turn Failure Into Fuel

If your strategy isn’t working, don’t panic. Use the experience as a learning opportunity. Identify what went wrong, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward. Remember, the only true failure is the failure to learn.

Join the Conversation

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in executing your strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

?? Repost to help your network with leadership and strategy insights. And follow Alex Brueckmann for more.

?? Get access to 80+ high-value resources on strategy and leadership through my email newsletter. Join thousands and subscribe at: https://lnkd.in/gceEUfJz

Want to facilitate better strategy? Join my next 9EOI strategy facilitator certification cohort ??