We Have a Strategic Plan—Why Are We Still Spinning Our Wheels?
It’s no secret that I love strategic planning. And I’ve been at it long enough to know that I’m likely in the minority. “It takes too much time.” “It’s too expensive.” “It will just go in a drawer next to my old Rolodex, never to be seen again.”
All these statements can be true. That’s because not all strategic planning is created equal.
The Master Plan, watercolor by Ian Mutton
A nonprofit leader recently shared this sobering statement:
“We spent a lot of time and money getting our board through a strategic planning process. The plan’s been in place for six months, and we haven’t made any real progress. We’re so overwhelmed that we don’t even know where to start.”
That feeling? It’s not uncommon.
The plan looks great on paper—heck, it might even have a pretty design. The goals are defined. Everyone nodded along at the retreat. But back in the day-to-day, the team is unclear about the priorities and the role they play. Urgent needs pile up. People feel stretched thin. And without a focused way to move forward, the plan starts to feel like one more thing that adds to the overload.
So it sits. And the stress grows. Or the plan is forgotten, and you’re back to “winging it.”
According to Harvard Business School, 95% of employees don’t understand their organization’s strategy. And most leadership teams spend less than one hour a month actually talking about it.
That’s why effective strategic planning isn’t just about the plan—it’s about building the conditions that help people carry it forward.
That means:
Including the team as you build the plan. When people are part of the process, they’re more invested in the outcome.
Leading with intention, not urgency. If the plan isn’t part of regular conversations and decision-making, it fades fast.
Creating space for well-being, not burnout. A great plan won’t help if your team is already running on empty.
Clarifying roles and expectations so people don’t have to guess what success looks like. Without structure and accountability, momentum fizzles.
A strong plan should energize your team, not drain it. It should create alignment, reduce decision fatigue, and help people make real progress. As Harvard leadership development professor Robert Kaplan says, “You don’t need a perfect strategy. You need one that gets done.”
If you’re due for a strategic plan, we can help you create one that your team understands, uses, and believes in. And we’ll make it easier than you think. Explore our StrategyMap process or reach out to schedule a chat.