Hey product folks!
In this series of newsletters, you'll uncover the 5 Deadly Sins of Strategy that can derail even the best-laid plans: Hiddenness, Ambiguity, Untrustworthiness, Selfishness, and Staleness. You'll learn how to recognize these pitfalls and, more importantly, how to overcome them.
In this and the following newsletter, we're shining a spotlight on the first sin: Hiddenness.
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Are you frustrated about teams merely executing tasks without understanding how their work fits into the broader strategy?
This can be a sign of the strategy being hidden from them. They can't see the big picture, which leads to disjointed projects and stifled innovation.
Here's the thing: a strategy that doesn't inform daily decisions is about as useful as no strategy at all. If the strategy isn't visible and accessible enough to guide day-to-day work, it might as well not exist.
In essence, we are talking about hiddenness—when your strategy is out of sight, it becomes out of mind, leaving your team adrift.
Imagine Bobco, a fictional company that mirrors real-world challenges faced by many organizations today.
Jane and her leadership team devised a strategy to enhance AI data utilization, aimed at staying ahead of emerging competitors. Initially, Jane was confident in the plan, but as the months passed, she noticed a troubling pattern: teams were merely executing tasks without understanding how their work fit into the broader strategy. The consequences were clear—projects were disjointed, innovation was stifled, and critical opportunities were slipping through their fingers.
The tension grew as Jane observed teams completing deliverables that didn’t align with company objectives. The lack of strategic awareness led to wasted efforts, creating a growing gap between leadership’s vision and the on-the-ground execution. Jane felt a deep frustration, recognizing that the very strategy she had helped craft was being undermined by its own invisibility.
Spotting the signs of Hiddenness: is your strategy invisible?
Over my years in product leadership, I've seen countless teams struggle with strategy execution. They craft beautiful plans, hold inspiring kickoff meetings, and then... crickets. The strategy collects digital dust while teams scramble from one fire to the next.
How can you tell if your strategy is suffering from hiddenness?
To diagnose whether hiddenness is plaguing your strategy, whether you're a leader or an IC, ask yourself these critical questions:
- Does your team know where they can look for the strategy? Is there a clear, accessible place where everyone can easily find and reference the strategic plan?
- Does anyone know this strategy exists beyond the leadership team? Have you communicated it effectively to all levels of your organization?
- Did you hear anyone mentioning it in day-to-day conversations? Is the strategy a living part of your team's vocabulary?
If you're hesitating or answering 'no' to any of these, you might be dealing with a case of strategy hiddenness.
Are you guilty of keeping your strategy a secret? What steps can you take to avoid it?
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