CEO insights: the real reason why “strategies fail”

Dot Olonovich
2 min readOct 3, 2022

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CEOs spend a great deal of time and effort crafting an inspiring strategy. As executive and author Stephen Tang explains, “The most successful and enduring strategies come from the sweet spot where opportunity and capability overlap.” Part art, part science, a well-done strategy is a beautiful thing to behold.

Person’s handing holding compass with mountains in the background

“Just 18% of strategies fail because the strategy itself is flawed.” — The Powerful Convergence of Strategy, Leadership, and Communications by Forbes Insights

82% of failures are not due to poor strategy, but because of poor change management. Many of the strategic efficiencies and serendipities are created during the planning and implementation phases. Alignments need to be made. Ways of working need to be updated. Relationships need to be built. The strategy doesn’t create those serendipities. The people do.

“… 82 percent of failures are preventable.” — The Powerful Convergence of Strategy, Leadership, and Communications by Forbes Insights

For a strategy to be successful, you need solid execution that also allows for the remediation of any unforeseen difficulties. In change management terms, we mobilize the leadership team so that the leaders are all working in the direction of the strategy, and we align and redeploy the workforce to support the goals.

If you believe that you’ve got a solid strategy that isn’t living up to its potential, it’s time to take a look at your change management. You need to put your strategy to work!

Friendly reminder: This is the start of Q4. If you need help sorting out your change priorities or you’re working on next year’s budget, please contact us for a quote as soon as possible.

You don’t have to go it alone. EVOLVE is a cutting-edge change management company that supports executive rebels just like you. Would you like to borrow our brilliance? If you need change management support or want to add to the capabilities of your team, please check out our flexible Membership Tiers. Or, if you’ve got questions or could use a change management team, you’re welcome to book some time to meet with Dot, our COO.

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Dot Olonovich

Dot Olonovich is a change management strategist who helps clients to develop innovative solutions to their unique growth and transformation challenges.