Did you start the year with a splashy launch of a big new strategy? How’s it going?
If your answer is NOT a resounding “Excellent!” your strategy might be stuck.
The problem is: You may not even know it!
Here are five warning signs your strategy is stuck:
1. YOU’RE CONSUMED WITH WORK BUT NOTHING’S QUITE “DONE”
Despite regular meetings and action plans, milestones are frequently missed and re-set. This often happens when the strategy isn’t aligned with the organization’s priorities, responsibilities are unclear, or goals are too broad to guide focused action.
2. KEY DECISION MAKERS FREQUENTLY SKIP MEETINGS
Dwindling participation is another red flag. It may be that your organization does not have the capacity to execute this strategy. Or that it conflicts with another critical priority. You’ll need to address this alignment problem quickly, or it can lead to decreased productivity and morale.
3. “POLITE” RESISTORS ARE FILIBUSTERING
If you encounter persistent resistance from teammates or stakeholders, don’t ignore the problem. They may be saying things politely, but they aren’t moving forward. Those resisting either don’t understand your strategy or you don’t understand their concerns. If your strategy depends on these people taking action, it’s time to address the disconnect head-on.
4. YOU’RE IN A DECISION VORTEX
Are decisions taking longer than usual? A strategy that is unclear or too complex quickly leads to people feeling uncomfortable about making a decision. Or it may be that people don’t feel authorized to decide at all! When people are confused, decision-making will stall.
5. YOU ARE CONTINUALLY SURPRISED
The market may be changing around you, and you need to adapt quickly. But you may also be surprised because you aren’t listening to the information people are trying to tell you. Even if it is bad news, you need to hear it.
If even two or more of these signs ring true, your strategy may be stalled. It’s time to take action.
A stuck strategy doesn’t just halt progress; it can also lead to missed opportunities, wasted resources, and a demotivated team.
Growth plans get stunted, and employee turnover increases as frustration grows. The longer a strategy remains stuck, the harder it becomes to regain momentum.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
Even the best strategy will fail if people are confused, skeptical, or not aligned.
Here are five things you can do immediately to get unstuck:
1. ASK HARD QUESTIONS
Is this goal worth pursuing? Does it align with your company’s mission and the current market conditions? Is this strategy able to achieve it? What is the real consequence if this is not achieved?
2. INVITE PEOPLE TO SHAPE THE PLAN WITH YOU
Involve your team and partners in the strategic planning process. Ask them for their input on what they think needs to change to get back on track. People are more likely to own the outcome when they contribute to the plan.
3. OPENLY DISCUSS RISK
When risks, assumptions, and “What If” scenarios are openly discussed, and solutions to address them considered, anxiety goes down, and people can move forward.
4. UNSCRAMBLE DECISION MAKING
Clarify roles and authority. Break down complex decisions into smaller, manageable steps to avoid paralysis. Make sure you aren’t the bottleneck.
5. COMMUNICATE UNTIL YOU’RE BORED HEARING YOURSELF.
Communicate the strategy until everyone can explain it themselves. Communicate progress. Communicate setbacks. Communicate even when you don’t have all the answers.
You Don’t Have To Stay Stuck
It’s easy to overlook signs that your strategy may be stuck, but ignoring them can lead to wasted time and resources.
Taking action now can ease frustration, reduce anxiety, and create momentum.
Why wait?
I welcome your thoughts– ( and any warning signs YOU’VE seen to add to the list!)
– Susan
𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, “Fast Track Insights,” 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚’𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌. 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 or twice 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉. 𝑻𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔, 𝒈𝒐 𝒕𝒐 www.gotomarketimpact.com .
