“Execution is a specific set of behaviours and techniques that companies need to master in order to have competitive advantage. It’s a discipline of its own.”
– Ram Charan and Larry Bossidy
Making strategy work isn’t the same as strategy making. It’s a different game with its own rules, potential pitfalls and best practices. Four important differentiators are:
Strategy execution involves everyone
From the CEO to the blue-collar worker, everyone is involved in executing the strategy. Their roles might be different, but all individuals contribute to the organisation’s execution effort.
Strategy execution takes much longer
You can build a strategy in a few weeks (or months at the most) but the execution can take several years. It’s a sprint versus a marathon.
Strategy execution demands short- and long-term thinking
While executing, you need to manage your long-term implementation plan and worry about the nitty-gritty actions you will take tomorrow.
Strategy execution requires a specific skill set
A different game demands different skills. The most important strategy skill by far is analytical thinking, whereas executioners particularly benefit from strong objective setting and people skills such as communication and coaching.
