What Strategy Really Is

Most people think they have a strategy.

But the moment you ask them to explain it… what they hand you is usually a list of goals, a roadmap, or a set of tasks.

And I get it.

We’ve been taught to think that busy equals strategic.

But that’s not true.

Today, I want to bring clarity to a concept that experts agree is one of the most misunderstood ideas in business, leadership, and even personal development.

If you look at the top thinkers in the strategy world they all describe strategy differently. But here are the highlights:

Michael Porter says strategy is about creating a unique and valuable position,  and making clear trade-offs.

Roger Martin says strategy is an integrated set of choices that leads a customer to take a specific action.

Henry Mintzberg says strategy can be a plan, but it can also be a pattern – the consistent way you show up over time.

Richard Rumelt says a real strategy requires a diagnosis, a guiding policy, and coherent action.

Different language.
Different angles.

Do you have a favorite definition? I know I do. But if you pull the thread all the way through, there’s one thing they all agree on:

Strategy is a choice – about how you will win – and what you will not do in order to win.

That’s the common denominator.

And that’s where we bring this back to you.

You don’t need an MBA.

You don’t need a boardroom.

And you certainly don’t need a hundred-page document to have a strategy.

You just need clarity around three things:

1. What does winning look like?
2. What choices will you make to get there?
3. What trade-offs will you commit to?

That’s it.

Let me show you how this plays out.

Two people want the same goal: “Get promoted.”

One person decides their strategy is deep expertise – becoming the go-to problem solver. The other chooses visibility and cross-functional influence.

Same goal. Completely different strategies.

Why?

Because strategy is never the goal.

Strategy is the approach – the unique way you intend to win.

And here’s the good news: this applies at every level.

Individuals can have a strategy — for their career, their growth, their path.

Teams can have a strategy — how they deliver results despite limited time or resources.

Departments can have a strategy — their unique contribution inside the organization.

Organizations must have a strategy — how they stand out and compete in the marketplace.

Different levels. Same principle: Strategy = choices + trade-offs + a way to win.

When those choices aren’t clear, people get overwhelmed. Teams stay busy but not effective. Departments lose focus. Organizations drift.

And individuals? They burn out because they’re doing everything and winning at nothing.

So here’s my encouragement to you:

Don’t settle for busyness.

Don’t settle for a list of goals masquerading as strategy.

Don’t settle for vague hopes about the future.

Choose.

Because when your strategy is clear, your path becomes clear. And that’s when real progress begins.

Choose.

Choose how you’re going to win.

Choose what you will not do.

And let those choices guide your actions, your energy, and your priorities.

Because as you've heard me say time and time again: Ideas spark change, actions ignite it.