A strategy is never excellent in and of itself; it is shaped, enhanced, or limited by implementation. Top leaders can provide the framework and tools for a team, but the game is won on the playing field.
When a strategy looks brilliant, it’s because of the quality of execution. For all the faddish talk about audacious goals, the bigger an unproven promise, the harder the fall when execution does not match the hype.
It is important to avoid the temptation to declare victory at an announcement of a strategy — instead, encourage innovation, begin with execution, and name the strategy later.
More on the implementation imperatives from Harvard Business Review’s article can be found HERE.
