Is Your Strategy Stuck in Park?

Do you feel like your organization’s strategy is stuck in park and you’re going nowhere fast?  Companies often invest large sums of time and money in developing their strategy only to find they just can’t seem to get into gear and moving in the right direction.  What is keeping you from getting on down the road?

It usually isn’t a lack of motivation or intent from the executive team.  What I’ve found is that leaders are ready to put the organization into drive, but when they step on the accelerator, things still don’t move.  One of the biggest sources of being stuck is that the parking brake is still on.  In most organizations, employees not the executive team control the parking brake and no matter how much you press on the accelerator you’re still going nowhere.  Why would employees then keep the brake on?

The function of a parking brake is safety; it keeps the vehicle in place as added protection against the vehicle drifting away.  Even when executives release the brake, it’s the employees that often reset it when a leader is momentarily distracted.  You turn around and push down on the accelerator believing you’re finally ready to go only to find yourself unable to move once again.  Employee motivation for setting the brake is rooted in uncertainty and risk; it is one of the few safety measures they have some control over.  It’s not that they want the organization to fail, they're just uncertain of the road ahead and the risks they cannot see around the corner.

Getting employees then to release the brake must be a key element of your strategy execution.  To do so requires a deliberate plan to explain to them what the plans are.  It’s like planning a family vacation.  Yes there will be long stretches of driving across relatively dull scenery, but the excitement builds when you describe the destinations, the things they will experience, and how you will celebrate each arrival.  Even experiencing unexpected problems like a flat tire or car trouble doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the road that lies ahead.  Reducing or alleviating the feelings of uncertainty and risk employees may experience then must be a part of your plan.

One of many road trips with the family - 1972

I can remember growing up when we often spent our summers driving across the United States to visit National Parks and other exciting destinations.  I dreaded those long stretches of highway that seemed to go on forever, but the excitement at arriving at each planned stop along the way made the trip worthwhile.  Each spring my parents would sit down with a map and taking our input, chart out the summer trip.  Being a part of the planning made the journey more enjoyable; we were always ready to get into the car and go.  Getting your team then to not only get into the car, but to be an active part of the journey is a key factor in your ability to get on the road and eventually arrive at your destination.

So as you think about the trip you’re planning for your company, include your employees in the planning process.  Find out what destinations excite them and include them wherever possible along the way.  Create excitement and anticipation and talk about what it will be like to celebrate the arrival at each stop along the way.  Don’t overlook the potential issues you may face along the way.  Be transparent and realistic.  After all, most trips aren’t flawless.  Cars break down, accidents may happen, weather may delay your arrival, or detours may require you to make adjustments along the way.  A road trip is almost always an adventure.  After each destination, you will have new stories to tell that will sustain your team until you arrive at the next stop.  If you can do this, you’ll find your team less likely to push down on the parking break and more prepared for the trip.

If you have a strategy stuck in park and are interested in help, contact Connect2Action at info@connect2action.com or visit our website at www.connect2action.com.

Duane Grove is founder of Connect2Action, a strategy execution specialist at the intersection of employee engagement and executive leadership, igniting innovation as a lever to accelerate your growth.  Follow Duane on Twitter @connect2action, his blog at connect2action.blogspot.com, or follow him on Google+ at connect2action@gmail.com and Facebook at duane@connect2action.com.