You must be thinking success can be achieved by focussing on a good strategy. But gone are the days when leaders talk only about strategy and do not focus on implementation. Today, we need leaders who can make big promises to clients and help the organizations deliver on time.

Leaders should focus on both execution and strategy. They should start with an executable strategy. Next, they should also ensure that their organization is working on the change. And last but not least leaders should ensure that everyone in the organization is motivated to work on the journey for change.

But how does the leader ensure a smooth combination of execution and strategy?

A leader must focus on the following three areas to close the gap between execution and strategy:

Strategy planning

Are you ready for the execution of the strategy? Do you have the skillset and capabilities ready for execution? If not available can you build the skill set needed for implementation or execution? Are you getting the teams ready for a change?

A leader needs to consider all the above-mentioned questions and build a strategy around it with a strong plan for execution.

Strategy follow up

Leaders should meticulously follow up with what has been decided. Leaders should be clear about what the strategy is. They need to communicate it to everyone in the team and make sure that e everyone understands it completely. Leaders also need to make sure that they are taking steps to build the skill sets needed for the strategy to succeed. The strategy should be such that it is reflected in the goals and targets of the organization. It should also reflect on the goals and targets of the employees.

Strategy execution

Leaders should ensure that the teams in the organizations are not working as silos. They should work together and manage cross-functional challenges to allow the organization to win. The leaders should also involve the management team in the execution process. Leaders need to keep motivating the teams and keep employees at all the levels informed about how they are fully related to the vision and mission of the organization.

There is tremendous scope for growth for organizations that can succeed at the execution of the planned strategy. Leaders who can be both executors and thinkers and can easily switch between the two beliefs are the ones who can help their organizations grow. So as Winston Churchill quotes – However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally measure the results.

Written & Compiled by Faber Mayuri