As the end of the year wraps up, small business owners and leaders are focused on finishing strong and setting themselves up for a successful start to the new year. Or as Dave Anderson notes, “They want to begin well.” On the latest episode of Lessons in Leadership, leadership expert and LearnToLead Founder, Dave Anderson, says the key is to keep strategic planning simple, clear, and actionable.
"We have to understand the role of each."
According to Anderson, the three essential components for effective planning are as follows:
- Vision = What
- Strategy = Where
- Tactics = How
Understanding the difference between strategy and tactics is critical, Anderson says, noting that many salespeople and managers often confuse the two. Without clarity, plans can fall short, and execution suffers.
He asserts that vision should be specific, ambitious, and inspiring, setting the team’s direction. Strategies should narrow the focus to the most important actions that will move the team toward that vision. Tactics are the daily steps and accountability measures that turn strategy into results, where execution truly takes place.
Anderson encourages leaders to focus on these three components and to narrow their efforts to what matters most. Doing so allows plans to be actionable, measurable, and ultimately successful.
For more insights, viewers and readers can watch the full Lessons and Leadership series on ASBN.com and check out Anderson’s book, Elevate Your Excellence, available on Amazon and at LearnToLead.com.
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