Kate Clark shares some real stories of teams using strategy as their anchor and compass (and other metaphors as well).
If you’ve ever worked on a team that felt a bit all over the place, you’re not alone. These days, there’s so much going on – deadlines, new projects, requests coming from everywhere – that it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most. But that’s where a good strategy comes in.
Think of it as both your team’s anchor (something solid to hold onto) and your compass (the thing that points you in the right direction). In some cases too it can even be the spark or kick that you need to get a change process moving.
Here are some real examples of how having a clear strategy has made life a lot easier – and less stressful – for teams I’ve seen lately.
Strategy as the anchor that holds a group together
One group I worked with had plenty of plans, but they were independent of each other. Which meant that while the teams were all doing good things, they weren’t working together. This made making group decisions tricky, and it was hard for them to say what their purpose was or what value they brought to the wider organisation.
But once they came together to create one group strategy, things changed. Suddenly, everyone had a clearer sense of their objectives, and the anxiety about what they should be working on faded away. The strategy was an anchor that stopped all the different teams spinning off in different directions, and people could see how they could contribute to the overall team purpose.
Strategy as a compass showing where to go and what to do next
Another team I saw was absolutely swamped. Requests for help kept coming in from every corner of the business, and they just couldn’t keep up. Stress was through the roof, and nobody, neither in the team or in the wider business, knew what was going to get done first (or at all). There was no easy way to decide what to drop, or which tasks mattered most.
That changed when they nailed down a clear strategy. Suddenly, they had a clear direction – they could see which things truly needed their attention and which ones could wait. They also had a much easier time talking with business partners about what could get done now and what needed to be pushed back. They could have frank conversations about priorities, and everyone knew what to expect and when. Less stress for everyone.
Instead of starting from scratch every time they planned something, they now had a clear sense of their starting point and of the direction from there.
Strategy as the spark for changing a team’s culture
Then there was a team that wanted to be more customer-focussed and try out new, modern ways of working. They started re-organising themselves, but didn’t have a clear “Why” behind all the change. Because of that, people were hesitant. Change is hard enough without not knowing the reason for it.
Once they stopped and figured out what shifts they wanted to make and why, everything got easier. In this case, having a clear strategy acted as a spark for getting the team moving, overcoming an inertia that had been based on uncertainty.
Now leaders could explain the changes with confidence, and the team started to buy in. Soon, the group felt more innovative, was more focussed on customers, and was more willing to use new ideas. The clear strategy helped everyone see the point of trying something new and guided the team into a new way of working.
What leaders can do to make strategy real and useful
Here are a few down-to-earth tips if you want your team to really use strategy to help your team succeed:
- Start with “Why?” – Take the time to talk as a team about why you exist and what special value you bring. Your strategy should explain this in simple, clear words.
- Keep it front and centre – Don’t let your strategy sit in a drawer. Bring it out whenever you’re making plans or big decisions. And don’t forget to update it when things change.
- Use it to decide – When new work comes in, ask: “Does this fit with our strategy?”. Use the strategy to help you decide yes, no, or not yet.
- Talk about it, a lot – Share the strategy with the whole team and with others you work with. It should be your first stop when questions come up about what you will (or won’t) do.
- Lead by example – As a leader, show how you use the team’s strategy to shape your own choices. Encourage other leaders to do the same.
- Link strategy to culture – Make it clear how your strategy supports things like customer focus, creativity, and working together. Show how new ways of working help you hit your strategy goals.
Wrapping up: Why strategy matters
Having a clear strategy that’s kept live and relevant helps teams stick together, focus on what matters most, and even change for the better when change is needed.
When teams really own their strategy, rather than just writing it down and forgetting about it, they get clarity, confidence, and momentum. It’s not just a document – it’s the thing that helps your team weather the storm and chase new opportunities.
