Three Things to Do NOW to Get Back on Track

The final quarter has begun! Feeling energized? Or concerned??

If you wake up at night with your heart racing because you know your big strategy isn’t where it needs to be, you’re not alone. ?

You may be overwhelmed by a high-stakes strategy you launched earlier in the year that’s slipped off track. ?Or maybe you’ve been tagged to drive a brand-new initiative, and the pressure to deliver is already mounting.?

With so much riding on it, ?the last thing you want is to see your strategy unravel. The clock is ticking. ?

Executing Is Hard?

Ben Horowitz, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author of “The Hard Thing About Hard Things,” cautions, ??"A good strategy poorly executed is worse than no strategy at all." ??The reality is that most strategies falter not because they’re flawed but because they’re never fully realized.?Its hard work!

Consider the Risks?

We all know that no strategy is free of risks. But if you haven’t taken the time to analyze the risks you face—both external and internal—you could be blindsided. Does your organization have a comfortable way to talk about risk? Not talking about risk creates anxiety and can slow decision-making. Openly talking about risk can help your organization shift gears FASTER. It can even create a competitive advantage.?

Don't Forget the Human Element?

One common mistake leaders make is to underestimate the PEOPLE side of their strategy. It’s easy to assume that once a strategy is designed and communicated, everyone will automatically fall in line and execute it perfectly. But this is where things often go wrong. Even GREAT ?strategies fail when people are confused, skeptical, or not aligned.?

Now’s The Time?to Act

The good news is that the year is not over. You have time to get things on track– especially if you start now! Here are three actions you can take this quarter:?

1. Clarify?

Confusion kills momentum. Make sure there is zero ambiguity about the goals, the roles, and the timeline. Every person on your team should know exactly what’s at stake and how their work connects to the bigger picture. Don't assume people understand—verify it.?

2. Re-engage ?

You need key stakeholders involved and committed. If they’re disengaged or unsure, that uncertainty will spread like wildfire. Hold that conversation you've been avoiding.

3. ?Focus

Competing priorities, shiny new projects, or shifting goals will fragment your team’s energy and dilute results. Identify the core priorities that truly drive impact.?

Why Not Reboot Your Strategy? ?

Whether you’re trying to salvage a high-stakes strategy or preparing to lead a critical new initiative in 2025, you don’t have to do it alone.?

I’m holding half-day Strategy Reboot Workshops designed specifically for leaders like you who need a fresh perspective. I'll preview some of the content from my upcoming book, “Fast Track Your Big Idea: Navigate Risk, Move People to Action, and Avoid Your Strategy Going Off Course.”?

This isn’t just a rah-rah session. It’s a hands-on, actionable workshop where you’ll gain new insights and tools to tackle some of your challenges to get on track—fast. If you're interested, message me for more details. ?This is your chance to take a breath and get some expert help.?

Now’s the Time

The fourth quarter isn’t only about what you’ve done. It’s about what you’re going to do. By using this time to clarify, re-engage, and focus your energies. You can trade those sleepless nights tossing and turning for the peace of mind of knowing your strategy is back on track and poised for success.

Your mission is too important. Don’t let it get derailed.?

I welcome your thoughts - and lessons learned!

—Susan?

[email protected]

This article is part of "Driving a New Direction", providing practical ideas whether you are driving a new strategy (or getting one back on track).?I want to help you avoid common mistakes.?Subscribe here to receive practical insights once or twice a month.

To learn more about the De-Risk System for Impact workshops and custom engagements and my upcoming book,"Fast Track Your Big Idea: Navigating Risk, Moving People to Action, and Avoiding Your Strategy Going Off Course", explore my website at www.gotomarketimpact.com.

#strategy #riskmanagement #leadership?

This article was originally published at www.gotomarketimpact.blog