Leslie Grandy’s Post

Plan is Not Strategy. Many companies see their “strategies” failing, simply because they don’t have one. They have plans instead. Strategy for Roger Martin is “ a set of integrative choices that positions you on a play field of your choice in a way that you win”. As consequence, strategy is a theory that has to be coherent and uncomfortable ( because you serve the needs of someone other than yourself ( Customer) by making choices whose result is not guaranteed). At the opposite of planning where, you are the customer of your pre-defined actions. To avoid falling in “the planning trap” leaders should embrace this uncertain aspect of strategy ( we can’t know with certainly if strategy will succeed) . They should also keep it flexible (to correct mistakes) and simple: a one pager answering to key questions: where we choose to play? How are we intending to win? With which capabilities? And with which management system? Aim at the end is “Playing to win” instead of playing to play. Highly recommend the author best seller book: Playing to Win (link in the comment). Harvard Business Review , #howto #PlayinToWin #RogerMartin #Strategy #Competition

Planning≠Strategy This video does a great job of delineating between the two and explaining why leaders tend to lean toward planning, rather than strategy. Mainly it's because strategy involves risks and accepting things outside of your control, and planning does not. But without strategy, you will not win.

Is your strategy making you uncomfortable? If not, it might just be a plan in disguise. As Roger Martin explains in this insightful video, #strategy and #planning are fundamentally different. While planning feels comfortable and controllable, real strategy requires us to step outside our comfort zone. He defines strategy as "an integrative set of choices that positions you on a playing field of your choice in a way that you win." It's a guiding theory of how to achieve a desired outcome. And it doesn't have to be overly complicated—Martin suggests it can fit on a single page. In contrast, falling into the "planning trap" lures us with a false sense of control. But great leaders recognize that strategy involves inherent uncertainty. You can't prove your strategy will succeed in advance—and that's okay. If your strategy doesn't give you a little angst, it may be time to rethink it. Check out the video for more of Martin's wisdom on laying out great strategy: https://lnkd.in/gHJ-JAqC How do you distinguish between planning and strategy in your organization? Let me know in the comments! #StrategyVsPlanning #LeadershipInsights #BusinessStrategy

If you're leading or guiding an organization, I believe this video is worth your time. Strategy explained in simple terms.

Ever found yourself stuck in the endless cycle of planning without achieving desired outcomes? 🤔 This insightful video by Professor Roger Martin on the difference between planning and strategy sheds light on why this happens. Check out his video 👉 https://lnkd.in/eM_4Rjyw One hallmark of great teaching is simplifying complex ideas. Professor Martin does this brilliantly, making the distinction clear: 🔑 Strategy vs. Planning: Strategy is about making integrative choices that position you to win on a chosen playing field, dealing with external elements and uncertainty. Planning focuses on completing a checklist of work with the resources you control. Key Takeaways: Strategy involves a coherent theory, is doable, and translatable into actions. Planning is comfortable but lacks the coherence needed for strategic success. A winning strategy focuses on serving customers better than anyone else. Think of strategy as a map guiding you through the terrain, showing you where you are, where you want to go, and the obstacles you might face along the way. Without this map, you risk being directionless and lost. 🗝️ Implementing Strategy: Identify your target market and playing field. Develop a theory for why this is the right field. Determine how to serve customers better than anyone else. Translate this into concrete actions. Why It Matters: Strategy gives you the best chance of winning by focusing on desired outcomes, accepting uncertainty, and taking calculated risks. Planning without a strategic vision often leads to busywork without meaningful progress. 💡 Final Thoughts: Clear, concise, and actionable insights like these can revolutionize how you approach business and personal goals. Shift from a planning mindset to a strategic one, and unlock new paths to success. 🌟 Question for You: How will you adjust your current planning process to incorporate a more strategic approach? 🤔 #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #PlanningVsStrategy #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #CustomerFocus #HarvardBusinessReview

Real strategy gives you the best chance of winning, even if it's angst-inducing. Love how well this is communicated. Clarity is a kind of superpower. "Strategy," says the distinguished Rotman professor, "is an integrative set of choices that positions you on a playing field of your choice in a way that you win." That strategy has to be coherent, doable and actionable. Here's why we should be on this playing field and not this other one. And here's how on that playing field we're going to be better than competitors at serving customers on that playing field. That theory has to be coherent, doable and actionable. Planning, in contrast, tends to be a list that has no internal coherence to it. The term strategic planning is a misnomer because planning and strategy are two different things.

Often when I am talking to leaders who are about to embark on a change initiative, I will ask if they have a clear vision of the future. The answer is often 'sort of'- sort of is off to the wrong start. When there's no clear vision statement it is already a recipe for confusion and misalignment. Second, this change vision statement is not something that should be developed by a change sponsor alone. It is something that should at a minimum be created by all levels of leadership (as they hold a key role in leading the change). Even more effective is when we give voice to the people who will be impacted by the change in that we give them an opportunity to chime into the change vision.

I'm thrilled to share that I've been diving deep into the insightful book "Your Strategy Needs a Strategy" by Martin Reeves, Knut Haanaes, and Janmejaya Sinha. This book is a game-changer for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of business strategy in today's rapidly changing world. In a landscape where one-size-fits-all approaches fall short, this book provides a dynamic framework to match your strategy to your environment. Whether you're in a volatile market, dealing with unpredictability, or managing resource constraints, "Your Strategy Needs a Strategy" offers practical tools and real-world examples to help you thrive. Key takeaways include: 🌟 Understanding the five distinct strategic environments. 🌟 Matching your strategic approach to the context of your business. 🌟 Practical case studies from leading companies across various industries. For leaders, managers, and strategists eager to stay ahead of the curve, this book is an invaluable resource. I highly recommend it to anyone committed to driving their organization's success in an ever-evolving marketplace. Have you read it? What are your thoughts? Let's discuss! 👇 #Strategy #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #Management #BookRecommendation #Innovation ---

Strategy is nothing more than The habits we choose At an organizational level. Are these habits chosen in a way that Solves problems for our customers While also creating business value

How to proceed if faced with conflicting feedback on a proposed strategy? How about the following approach? - Consider at least two options of how to move forward - Brainstorm with the team and carefully listen the reaction and other views - Assess the potential impact on your strategy and objectives - Balance short-term needs with long-term objectives Most important, it's about finding the best way forward, not pleasing everyone. What would you add? Please share your thoughts in comments below. #ConflictResolution #Strategy #ChangeManagement #EmotionalIntelligence 📸 NCRC