Strategic Planning vs Strategy: How Leaders Create Real Direction
01/12/2026 0 Comment
Discover how executive teams use strategy before planning to align vision, engage leaders, and drive results with TAFLAT’s strategic planning approach.
At TAFLAT, we conduct around 3-4 "Strategic Planning" programs per year. Typically, a C-Suite executive contacts us, and the process begins. For each client, what they mean by a "Strategic Plan" is different. For example, with one client, they asked us to conduct a series of Interviews and Focus Groups consisting of representatives from their Board of Directors down to the Directors. We reviewed their previous Strategic Plans, highlighting areas where accomplishments were achieved and where people were aligned. We also noted areas where we noticed misalignment at multiple levels. In short, the Company was using our services as an outside, confidential consultant to gather employee and senior management input and develop themes from what we learned. For other companies, the "Strategic Planning" process is targeted to the development of a vision and tactical plan to accomplish those results.
In all cases, one of the first things we send to our clients is the Youtube video "A Plan Is Not a Strategy" by Roger Martin. One of the things Martin so eloquently explains is that the process of developing one's "strategy" is separate and distinct from the process of developing one's "plan." Martin's approach is as true for corporations as it is for individuals. Martin explains that when your brain is engaged in the development of a strategy, the process should be open, wild, and outlandish! You should be at 50,000 ft and approaching where you aspire to go. Leave that process alone! THEN, later, you can develop your plan, which is your tactical process to achieve incredible results. We love Professor Martin's perspective, and we hope you will too:
Author
Jim Glantz is the Managing Partner of The Academy For Leadership And Training (TAFLAT). A 20+ year Executive of Organizational Development & Training, Jim holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Development and a Masters in Education from UCLA. Jim is an Associate Professor & the author of numerous articles.