Have you ever watched a perfectly good business strategy crash and burn?
I have – a little too often – not all mine I promise.
As someone who’s spent years running businesses in the strategy, marketing and consulting space, I’ve seen it happen more times than I care to count.
And here’s the kicker: it usually had nothing to do with the strategy / or the business itself.
The Pattern That Changed Everything
Picture this: We’d spend weeks crafting the perfect strategy for a client. The messaging was sharp. The targeting was precise. The campaigns were beautifully structured. We’d hand over this golden ticket to success, and then…
…cue crickets…
Or worse – chaos.
The Head-Scratching Moment
At first, it was frustrating. We’d see clients take our meticulously crafted strategies and:
- Execute them halfway
- Change crucial elements without understanding the implications
- Implement them inconsistently
- Sometimes not implement them at all
As strategy professionals, we were baffled. These weren’t just good strategies – they were proven approaches that had worked countless times before.The tactics and the steps were well defined.
The Lightbulb Moment
After seeing this pattern repeat itself, I started asking different questions. Instead of “What’s wrong with the implementation?” we began asking:
- Why aren’t they following through?
- What’s holding them back?
- What’s happening between strategy delivery and execution?
So Here’s What We Discovered – The Root Problem
The answer was eye-opening.
It turns out, the issue wasn’t in the strategy playbook – it was in the mindset of the player/s, specifically the lead characters, the leaders / owners. We discovered a variety of internal barriers:
Self-Belief Issues
Lack of confidence, self esteem in the key leader – a lot of second guessing.
- “This worked for others, but my business is different”
- “I’m not sure I can pull this off”
- “What if it actually works and I can’t handle the growth?”
Discipline Challenges
A lack of discipline in implementing strategy and tactics.
- Inconsistent implementation
- Difficulty maintaining momentum
- Struggling with routine and structure
Business Acumen Gaps
Misplaced understanding of their own attitude, aptitude and skill set.
- Misunderstanding basic business principles
- Poor time management
- Lack of systems thinking
Personal Limitations
A symptom of self-belief challenges playing out in the day to day.
- Fear of visibility
- Resistance to change
- Perfectionism paralysis
The Outcome
This journey taught reveals something crucial: Business success isn’t just about having the right strategies – it’s about becoming the right leader to execute those strategies.
Moving Forward – Come and Join Us
As we continue to develop The Forged Mentor program, this dual focus remains at its heart.
Because we’ve learned that the most powerful transformation happens when personal growth and business development go hand in hand.
Remember: The best strategy in the world won’t work if you’re not ready to work it. Sometimes, the biggest barrier to business success isn’t the plan – it’s the person trying to execute it.
And that’s okay. We all start somewhere.
The key is recognizing where you need to grow and being willing to do the work – both on your business and yourself.