The Cost of Mistaking Plans for Strategy in an Uncertain Economy
Charlie Curson, strategic advisor, leadership coach and author of Be More Strategic, examines why many leaders confuse planning with strategy.
When 84 percent of executives say their organizations aren’t prepared for the next disruption, the problem is not just about managing uncertainty, but outright confusion. Too many leaders still mistake planning for strategy.
A plan is a list of actions, whereas a strategy is a set of interrelated, intentional choices about where to play, how to win and what to do (or not do).
Planning and strategy are not the same thing. This distinction has never mattered more, especially in an economy defined by geopolitical tension, supply-chain fragility, A.I. disruption, key resource constraints and shifting consumer behavior.
Mistaking activity for strategy is proving costly.
Author's summary: Leaders confuse planning with strategy, undermining performance.