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Hey,

We’ve all heard the phrase that execution is everything. 

And yet, Harvard Research reports that 90% of organizations fail to execute their strategies successfully.

Even more alarming?

Over 50% of senior leaders spend little to no time discussing how to actually implement their strategy.

The truth is, most strategies don’t fail in the boardroom - they fail in the workplaces, calls, and team meetings where execution is supposed to happen.

Today I want to share the 10 most common strategy execution mistakes - and how to avoid them - so you can get better outcomes.

The 10 Most Common Strategy Execution Mistakes

1. Strategy by Osmosis

If you don’t spell out the strategy, teams will make up their own.

Confusion kills execution.

✅ Fix: Communicate clearly, often, and in plain language. Everyone should know what “winning” means this quarter and in the long-term.

2. Strategies in Isolation

Building strategy in silos kills ownership.

People won’t execute what they didn’t help shape.

✅ Fix: Involve key teams early. Cross-functional planning = shared commitment + faster action. Get regular feedback from customers.

3. Outsourcing Strategy to Consultants

You can’t rent conviction.

Consultants bring insight, not ownership.

✅ Fix: Use consultants as facilitators, not creators. Make your team the authors.

4. No Strategic Training for Managers

Operational managers execute the plan - but without context, they optimize the wrong things.

✅ Fix: Train every operational leader to connect daily actions with long-term goals. Strategy starts on the ground.

5. Planning Paralysis

More meetings, less movement. Overthinking kills momentum.

✅ Fix: Set a decision deadline. Launch fast, learn faster. Strategy evolves through action.

6. Meaningless Mission Statements

If your mission doesn’t drive behavior, it’s just decoration.

✅ Fix: Tie your mission to measurable decisions - pricing, hiring, operations. Live it, don’t just create and forget.

7. No Crisis, No Strategy

Waiting for chaos to think strategically? Too late.

✅ Fix: Schedule strategy reviews in calm times. Lead before the storm hits.

8. Undefined Critical Issues

If everything’s a priority, nothing is.

Not defining specific action points = no results.

✅ Fix: Pick 3-5 must-win battles. Clarity creates focus - focus drives results.

9. Overvaluing Content over Process

Filling templates isn’t full strategy.

Real advantage comes from execution insight, not paperwork.

✅ Fix: Spend less time formatting and more time debating + doing what really matters. Tools support thinking and execution - they don’t replace it.

10. Using Consultants for Content, Not Capability

If knowledge stays with consultants, your team stays weak.

✅ Fix: Demand capability transfer. Build internal strategic muscles, not dependency.

Couple of questions for your reflection:

• Are your teams involved in crafting the strategy they’re expected to implement?

• Are your managers trained to think strategically, not just operationally?

• Are you communicating your strategy clearly across all levels?

• Are you executing or just endlessly planning?

Strategy success isn’t about perfection - it’s about direction, alignment, and momentum.

Hold monthly “strategy syncs” to align teams, track progress, and adjust fast.

Remember and Take Action

Sharing a useful infographic that will help you remember the shared points:

Further Reading

To gain deeper insights, consider these two additional resources:

Conclusion

Strategy is more than a slide deck.

It’s about making clear, bold choices and then orchestrating your people, processes, and priorities to make those choices real.

If you’re struggling with execution, start by examining whether any of these 10 mistakes are showing up in your company.

Fixing just one or two of them can dramatically increase your ability to turn ideas into impact.

Here’s to building not just smart strategies - but unstoppable execution momentum.

Until next time,
Igor

P.S. If you need help with your strategy, reply to this email or DM me on LinkedIn.