Dansk
Strategy is too often treated as a rigid, logic-driven process - the kind of task that requires control, structure and long documents. We learn to push away emotions, limit creativity and replace intuition with Excel sheets.
But honestly: When was the last time a strategy session inspired you?
If you've ever sat in a meeting thinking more about your lunch than your strategy, you're not alone. Ironically, research shows that 70-90% of all strategic initiatives are never properly implemented (Source). So if most strategies fail, why are we still following the same recipe?
Most of us are trained to do tasks, not to understand why we do them. Strategy planning often becomes an exercise in checking boxes instead of an opportunity to create something new.
"Success is not final, failure not fatal: it is the courage to continue that matters." - Winston Churchill
But in many companies, strategy is still more about structuring goals than truly understanding them, prioritizing predictability over alignment, process over commitment, and rigidity over flexibility.
But strategy should be more art than control, more dynamic than documents and more action than analysis.
In a world where everything is changing faster than ever before, creative solutions are more important than fixed frameworks. According to the MIT Sloan Management Review, companies that engage in more agile and iterative strategy development perform significantly better than those stuck in long annual planning cycles (Source).
Some of Europe's most successful entrepreneurs have built their businesses by breaking away from traditional strategy models:
"If we manage to integrate morals and ethics into our economic actions, we will achieve even greater success." - Daniel Goeudevert, former board member of Volkswagen AG
Hos MakeMyStrategy we work to bring more life, community and engagement into the strategy process because we need both structure and creativity.Strategy should not be boring, but inspiring. It shouldn't be about heavyprocesses, but about clear decisions.
Let's tackle the big question: Is it irresponsible to bring intuition and spontaneity into strategic planning?
Not at all.
Some of the most groundbreaking strategic decisions weren't made after months of planning. They were made because someone trusted their gut and acted quickly.
"Strategy is about choices. The worst strategy is to do nothing while waiting for the perfect plan." - Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Yes, impulsiveness without insight is risky, but rigid, unadaptable strategies are worse. The companies that survive are not those with the thickest strategy reports, but those that think, test and adjust continuously.
Hos MakeMyStrategy we're not afraid to say we're on a journey. We know we still have a lot to learn. But one thing is certain: Strategy can - and should - be more liveable, more human and more engaging.
We want to make our mark, not only by making our platform more accessible to teams and adding a touch of fun, but also by changing the way we communicate. In the coming weeks, we will become more colorful, more emotional and less corporate, because strategy is not just about plans - it's also about people.
So next time you're in a strategy session, ask yourself:
Are we making real qualitative decisions, or are we just replaying an old tune?
Because if your strategy doesn't inspire action, it's just another to-do list. And we all know how that ends. 😉
Sources: MIT Sloan Management Review, Wikipedia, quotes from DanielGoeudevert and Ursula von der Leyen.