Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
In other words, invest time to think through your actions. Don’t just start chopping.
Multiple factors are at play; time is limited, and competitive elements are jostling for attention. Complex problems require strategic thinking. You must choose a direction.
Many bad decisions result from a dearth of strategy. Without consensus, team members meander in different directions and become ‘busy’ setting personal agendas as a measure of success. Communication breaks down, which is counterproductive and costly. Constructive change fails to materialise – profits sink.
Great strategies take time and energy to create. Some work out; others are like a maze that baffles you right to the end. Shortcuts rarely work out.
Strategy requires pause, thought, and planning. You may have to pivot, tear up your strategy, or go in another direction. Whatever you do, don’t panic. Panicking leads to disaster.
Take Action: How would you react if your team fell behind on an important deadline, lost a valuable client or faced a new competitor? Would you expect them to readdress the documented strategy, recommend a new plan, or rush into your office, hoping you’ll fix their problems?