Is your strategy still collecting dust after the initial reveal?

Hey product folks!

Last time, we exposed hiddenness as one of the deadly sins of strategy. Now, let's talk about why your well-intentioned efforts to combat it might be falling short.

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The strategy digest: why your team needs more than a Big Reveal

But wait, didn’t everyone attend our big kickoff event where the strategy was unveiled?

You’d think that would be enough to ensure everyone is on the same page. Yet, here’s the reality: simply presenting the strategy in a grand reveal isn’t nearly enough.

In practice, team members often need the strategy broken down into smaller, digestible bites.

Let’s face it: no one remembers every detail from a single presentation. To truly embed your strategy into the fabric of your team’s work, it needs to be communicated consistently and clearly, allowing everyone to grasp its nuances and implications.

From sacred text to daily practice

The key is to actively engage your team with the strategy, making it a living, breathing part of daily decision-making.

Instead of treating your strategy like a sacred text to be referenced occasionally, let's weave it into the fabric of your team's daily workflow.

Here's how:

Embed strategy in your rituals: Implement a dedicated strategy session in your weekly planning meetings. This keeps the big picture front and center.
Create a strategy hub: Establish a clear, accessible location for all strategy documents. Think of it as your team's strategic command center.
Foster a strategy-centric culture: Encourage regular discussions around the strategy. Make it a natural part of your team's vocabulary and thought process.
Lead by example: Consistently reference the strategy in your own decision-making and communications. Show your team how it guides your choices.
Celebrate strategic alignment: Recognize and praise team members when they make decisions or suggest ideas that align with the strategy. This reinforces its importance and relevance.

At Bobco Jane implemented a strategy session in the weekly planning meetings. The team got actively engaged, inquiring about and discussing strategic directions. Moreover, BobCo standardized strategy accessibility, centralizing documents for easy reference.

Great job, Jane!

Remember, a hidden strategy is as useful as a parachute that opens on impact.

Don't let your team free-fall into misalignment. Instead, weave your strategy into the fabric of their daily work, and watch as clarity, purpose, and results soar.