Your Strategy Has to Be Flexible — But So Does Your Execution

Strategy execution should be as varied, as thoughtful, as subtle, as diverse and as intertwined with the strategy itself as is necessary to get the job done. But all too often, executives fail to execute a strategy because they’re oversimplifying its execution. Some fall into a trap of excessive complexity, which can undermine thoughtful execution as much as a failure to specify tactics. Busyness can become an implicit goal or cultural norm, and the original strategic intent can be lost in a frenzy of detail and activity. Emphasizing compliance with a plan can, under stable conditions, accelerate fruition of a strategy. But under the changing conditions of a nascent or recently disrupted industry, a rigid plan can become a straitjacket for the flexibility and adaptation which may be required to succeed. Different strategic environments require different approaches to strategy and execution. A nascent technology business might require an adaptive approach and a stable commodity business might require a classical, planning-based approach. In short, your execution needs a thoughtful strategy.