7 Signs Your Strategy Is Actually Just a To-Do List

1. Everything Is a Priority

When everything is urgent, nothing gets finished. Strategy is about trade-offs — what you’ll do, and more importantly, what you won’t.

2. No North Star Metric

If success can’t be measured by one clear outcome, you’re just chasing vibes. Teams need a single North Star to rally around.

3. Buzzword Bingo

“Empower.” “Leverage.” “Disrupt.” If your strategy sounds like a LinkedIn drinking game, it’s not guiding anyone anywhere.

4. Copycat KPIs

Borrowing goals from competitors or industry fads means you’re chasing someone else’s playbook — not leading your own.

5. Shiny Object Syndrome

If your priorities shift every quarter, your team’s not executing a strategy. They’re reacting to the latest shiny idea.

6. No Real Trade-Offs

If nothing ever gets cut or killed, you’re not making decisions. You’re piling tasks on top of each other and calling it progress.

7. No Accountability

Without names and deadlines, your plan is just a wish list. Strategy without ownership is busywork in disguise.



Why This Matters

If even a couple of these hit close to home, you’re not alone. Research shows 90% of companies fail to execute their strategies. Not because people are lazy or incompetent — but because they mistake activity for direction.

Real strategy isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, in the right order, for the right reasons.

The Fix

That’s exactly why I created The Strategy Workshop. In just two days, we’ll help your team:

- Define one clear, measurable North Star goal

- Agree on 2–3 success metrics that actually matter

- Prioritize the 3–4 initiatives that will move the needle

- Build a 90-day roadmap with owners and deadlines

This isn’t another meeting. It’s the reset button your strategy needs.