The final quarter has begun! Feeling energized? Or concerned?
If you wake up at night with your heart racing because you know your strategy isn’t where it needs to be, you’re not alone.
You may be overwhelmed by a high-stakes strategy you launched earlier in the year that’s slipped off track. Or maybe you’ve been tagged to drive a brand-new initiative, and the pressure to deliver is already mounting.
With so much riding on it, the last thing you want is to see your strategy unravel. The clock is ticking.
Executing Is Hard
Ben Horowitz, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author of “The Hard Thing About Hard Things,” cautions, “A good strategy poorly executed is worse than no strategy at all.” The reality is that most strategies falter not because they’re flawed but because they’re never fully realized.
Consider the Risks
No strategy is free of risks. If you haven’t taken the time to analyze the risks you face—both external and internal—you could be blindsided. Does your organization have a comfortable way to talk about risk? Not talking about risk creates anxiety and can slow decision-making. Openly talking about risk can help your organization shift gears faster. It can even create a competitive advantage.
The Human Element
One common mistake leaders make is to underestimate the PEOPLE side of their strategy. It’s easy to assume that once a strategy is designed and communicated, everyone will automatically fall in line and execute it perfectly. But this is where things often go wrong. Even GREAT strategies fail when people are confused, skeptical, or not aligned.
Now’s The Time
The good news is that the quarter has just begun, and you have time to get things on track– especially if you start now! Here are three actions you can take this quarter:
1. Clarify
Confusion kills momentum. Make sure there is zero ambiguity about the goals, the roles, and the timeline. Every person on your team should know exactly what’s at stake and how their work connects to the bigger picture. Don’t assume people understand—verify it.
2. Re-engage
Time is not on your side. You need key stakeholders involved and committed. If they’re disengaged or unsure, that uncertainty will spread like wildfire.
3. Focus
Competing priorities, shiny new projects, or shifting goals will fragment your team’s energy and dilute results. Identify the core priorities that truly drive impact.
Why Not Reboot?
Whether you’re trying to salvage a high-stakes strategy or preparing to lead a critical new initiative in 2025, you don’t have to do it alone.
This quarter, I’m running a half-day Strategy Reboot Workshop designed specifically for leaders like you who need a fresh perspective. I’ll preview some of the content rom my upcoming book, “Fast Track Your Big Idea: Navigate Risk, Move People to Action, and Avoid Your Strategy Going Off Course.”
This isn’t just a rah-rah session. It’s a hands-on, actionable workshop where you’ll gain new insights and tools to tackle some of your challenges to get on track—fast. If you’re interested, message me for more details. This is your chance to take a breath and get some expert help.
Now’s the Time
The fourth quarter isn’t only about what you’ve done. It’s about what you’re going to do. By using this time to clarify, re-engage, and focus your energies. You can trade those sleepless nights tossing and turning for the peace of mind of knowing your strategy is back on track and poised for success.
Your mission is too important. Don’t let it get derailed.
Welcome your thoughts!
—Susan
susan.schramm@gotomarketimpact.com
This article is part of “Fast Track Insights”, providing practical ideas and tips to get results faster, whether you are driving a new strategy (or getting one back on track). I want to help you avoid common mistakes. Subscribe here to receive practical insights once or twice a month.
To learn more about De-Risk System for Impact workshops and custom engagements, and my upcoming book, explore my website at www.gotomarketimpact.com.
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