The 5 Steps to Implement Strategy



In a recent blog I wrote about ensuring successful change through enlisting the tribe or affinity group leader. People who had not read “Tribal Leadership” by Logan, King & Fischer-Wright, were interested in more information about ensuring change through tribes or affinity groups… so here it goes.

In order to make changes in your organization you need to get the support of the tribes and affinity groups. Tribes and affinity groups are informal groups of 20-150 people who come together around a common cause or belief.

The steps to implement strategy with your tribes or affinity groups:

Values – Recognize the shared values of the informal tribes or affinity groups in your organization by engaging people in conversations about what they stand for. Point out the benefits of shared values.

Noble cause – Tribes and affinity groups rally around a noble cause. Discover the shared reason by discussing what the group lives for. Link the noble cause to the strategic plan.

Outcomes – Involve the tribe or affinity group in setting the outcomes of the strategic plan.

Assets – Identify assets together by focusing on the questions “What do we have now?” and “What do we have a knack for doing better than anyone else?” Assets include equipment, technology, land, relationships, goodwill, brand, public awareness, reputation, culture, drive, people’s education, people’s passions, and interpersonal networks. Determine if you have enough assets for the outcomes. If not, build up the assets.

Actions – Work together to determine what actions to take to accomplish the outcomes. Ensure that you have sufficient assets for actions. Check back in to make sure the actions will accomplish the outcomes.

Change is never easy .By leveraging existing tribes and affinity groups in your organization, you can improve the likelihood of execution of your strategic plan.

If you want to talk about creating and implementing strategic plans, contact me.