I’m currently reading “The Fish Rots from the Head, Developing Effective Board Directors” by Bob Garratt.
It’s a great book and something every director, or aspiring director should sink their teeth into.
One of the many points I’ve taken note of is how simple strategy really is. While I personally love a one page strategic plan, organisations tend to spend a lot of time pondering, planning, writing and in reality, complicating strategy.
Garratt argues that there are only five strategic directions to consider:
- Advance
- Retreat
- Hold your ground
- Make Alliances
- Withdraw totally
This made me stop and think. Strategy is a wonderful opportunity to think and create, but we can still keep it very focussed.
As Amelia Barr said, “It is always the simple that produces the marvelous”.
The Optimistic Cynic 