The Execution Revolution

The quick cure for slow strategy

In the whirlwind of modern leadership, where the to-do list never ends, focusing on what truly matters is a lost art.

Enter ‘The Execution Revolution: The quick cure for slow strategy,’ your guide to cutting through the chaos with this revolutionary approach to strategy execution.

This book is a manifesto for excellence in the face of overwhelming odds. With over 80% of company strategies failing to reach fruition, this book is not just timely; it's necessary. Through compelling evidence and engaging narratives, I explain the critical importance of prioritization, actionability, and digital acceleration as the levers behind scalable success in an increasingly disrupted business environment.

Your guide to cutting through the chaos with this revolutionary approach to strategy execution. This book is a manifesto for excellence in the face of overwhelming odds. With over 80% of company strategies failing to reach fruition, this book is not just timely; it's necessary.

Why this book, why now?

We are on the precipice of unprecedented change. The coming decades will bring more transformation than ever before in human history, impacting everything from the global climate to the technologies we use daily. This accelerating pace of change is becoming a law of nature itself.

But amidst this whirlwind of change, one thing remains constant: the struggle to execute. A staggering 80% of change initiatives fail or are significantly delayed. Companies achieve only 64% of their predicted growth over a five-year horizon. Globally, we lose $1 million every 20 seconds due to failed execution. To put that in perspective, that's roughly twice the US military budget annually, or enough to finance the entire global transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050!

This inability to execute effectively isn't just a business problem; it's a societal one. It hinders progress, stifles innovation, and prevents us from solving the critical challenges facing our world.

That's where The Execution Revolution comes in. This book isn't just about improving business performance; it's about empowering individuals and organizations to thrive in the face of constant change. It's about equipping leaders with the tools and strategies they need to turn vision into reality, no matter how complex or ambitious the goal.

The Execution Revolution is a movement. It's about recognizing that execution is a team sport, a collective endeavor that requires a shift in mindset and behavior. It's about mastering the art of large-scale behavioral change at speed. Companies that can achieve this will be the market leaders of tomorrow, and this book provides the roadmap to get there.

This is why this book is so vital, right now. It's a call to action for leaders at all levels to embrace change, master execution, and shape a better future for themselves and the world around them.

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Without a strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless."

-MORRIS CHANG

This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of this book and the methodology you are about to explore. It highlights the circular dependency between strategy and execution, two sides of the same coin, each meaningless without the other. In this book, you will journey through a streamlined and potent methodology that emphasizes focus, adaptability, and speed across the organization. This methodology is further enhanced by digital enablement, making it not just robust but also futureproof and scalable. And it consists of just four easy-to-grasp components. The first two components, Most Important Goals and Strategic Initiatives, form the strategic part of our methodology. They answer the questions of WHAT we aim to achieve and HOW we aim to achieve it. The third and fourth components, Key Activities and Strategy Stand-Ups, form the execution part of our methodology. They answer the questions of what we DO to focus our efforts and how we sustain change and maintain momentum over time

Strategy blocks

  • In the relentless pursuit of success, organizations often spread themselves too thin, chasing every opportunity that emerges. This fragmented approach can lead to a dilution of efforts and subpar outcomes. To truly excel, organizations must prioritize and concentrate their resources on the goals that matter most. By focusing on less, you can achieve way more. A Most Important Goal (MIG) is a critical goal that, if achieved, will have the most significant impact on the organization's success. Each team should have 2-3 MIGs that are aligned with the goals of the team immediately above them. In the book, you'll discover how to identify your MIGs, align your teams around them, and avoid common pitfalls in the process. You'll gain insights into prioritizing effectively, measuring what matters, and ensuring everyone in your organization is working towards the same objectives

  • Strategic initiatives are the stepping stones that lead from ambitious goals to tangible results. They are the bold moves, the calculated risks that can transform an organization's trajectory and drive significant performance improvement. Strategic initiatives are actionable pathways designed to realize the MIGs. They provide a clear and actionable roadmap for the entire organization, outlining the strategic direction and concentrating efforts towards achieving the desired outcomes. This section will equip you with the knowledge and tools to define and prioritize your Strategic Initiatives effectively. You'll learn how to break down complex initiatives into manageable sub-initiatives, allocate resources efficiently, and monitor progress to ensure alignment with your strategic vision

  • In the journey towards achieving your goals, it's crucial to identify the vital few actions that will propel you forward. These are your Key Activities—the high-impact actions that drive the majority of your results. Think of it like this: if your goal is to lose weight, stepping on the scale every day won't make much difference. The real game-changers are the actions you take—your diet and exercise. Similarly, in pursuing any goal, focusing on the right actions is the most effective way to influence your results. Key Activities aren't just any actions; they're the high-leverage activities that make a disproportionate impact. They're often the tasks we tend to shy away from—the challenging ones that require us to step outside our comfort zones. But they're also the tasks that hold the greatest potential for growth and improvement. Discover how to pinpoint your Key Activities and overcome the behavioral hurdles that often stand in the way of execution. You'll learn how to identify those high-impact actions, outsmart your caveman brain, and handle resistance to change. You'll also gain practical tools for defining your Key Activities clearly, motivating your team to embrace them, and tracking progress to ensure they deliver maximum impact

  • In the hectic landscape of the modern workplace, maintaining focus on strategic goals can be a challenge. The constant influx of daily tasks and urgent issues can easily derail even the most well-intentioned plans. To navigate this challenge, organizations need a mechanism to ensure their long-term vision doesn't get lost in the daily shuffle. Strategy stand-ups are short, weekly meetings (15-30 minutes) designed specifically to bridge the gap between strategic intentions and tangible actions. They also help to align team members and foster accountability. Learn how to implement Strategy Stand-Ups in your organization to foster a culture of accountability and commitment. You'll gain practical strategies for leading these meetings effectively, driving progress on Key Activities, and ensuring everyone is aligned with the strategic vision

  • To effectively drive the strategy, organizations need to ensure their strategies are not just actionable but also scalable. Traditional methods of capturing and implementing strategic goals often fall short in ensuring that every member of the organization, at every level, is aligned and understands their role in achieving the overarching objectives. Digital tools for strategy execution enable organizations to quickly roll out strategic changes, maintain alignment across all levels, and actively steer toward goals rather than merely monitoring progress through backward-looking metrics. As a CEO, your role is evolving. In this era of rapid change and digital disruption, you need to be more than a decision-maker; you need to be a digital leader. This section explores the transformative power of digital tools in strategy execution. You'll understand why traditional methods are no longer sufficient and how the right digital solutions can streamline your strategy, enhance visibility, and accelerate progress toward your goals. It's about equipping yourself with the tools and knowledge necessary not just to navigate the future but to thrive in it

What’s in it for you?

The Execution Revolution is more than just a book; it's a practical guide, a toolkit for driving change in the 21st century, and a blueprint for achieving your organization's most ambitious goals. Here's how you can maximize its impact:

Why should I choose this book on strategy?

It's engaging and surprisingly enjoyable. Let's face it, most management books are dry and filled with unrealistic case studies. The Execution Revolution breaks the mold. Half of the book is written in a fictional style, following characters through real-world challenges and difficult conversations. It's a refreshingly honest and engaging look at how strategy plays out in actual companies.

The method is proven and easy to implement. This isn't just theoretical fluff. The book provides a clear, actionable framework, refined over years of implementation in over 5,000 teams. You'll get the tools to define your Most Important Goals, make your Company Initiatives Actionable, drive behaviors at scale through Key Activities, and foster a culture of commitment in your teams. It's a complete cycle, from planning to execution, that's been tested and proven in the real world.

It prepares you for the future of strategy. This book isn't just about today's challenges; it's about what's coming next. You'll gain insights into:

  • Increased agility: Learn how to systematically reprioritize and adapt your strategy in response to a rapidly changing world.

  • Digital acceleration: Understand the growing importance of digital tools and leadership in strategy execution.

  • Cross-functional collaboration: Navigate the complexities of executing strategies that span departments and functions.

The Execution Revolution gives you the edge you need to succeed in an increasingly complex and dynamic world. It's your guide to turning strategy into tangible results and achieving your most ambitious goals

For senior leaders:

This book is your guide to navigating the complexities of strategic execution in the digital age. Use it to:

  • Unify your management team around a shared vision. Cut through the noise and create laser focus on the strategic changes that matter most. Build a culture of accountability where everyone is invested and aligned with your top priorities within your team.

  • Execute with speed and agility. Equip your organization with a proven methodology for strategy execution that's light, adaptable, and built for the 21st century. Join thousands of teams who have already transformed their approach and achieved extraordinary results.

  • Become a digital leader. Embrace the power of technology to drive your strategy forward and ensure your organization remains at the forefront of innovation. Invest in your digital leadership and secure your relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of business.

For Individual Leaders and ambitious individuals:

Invest in your own future to become a driving force for change. This book provides the tools and techniques to align your team's efforts with the overarching strategic vision, ensuring enthusiastic buy-in to the journey. By fostering a culture of accountability and ownership within your team, you'll clarify how their weekly contributions directly impact the company's success. Become a clearer and more transparent leader, guiding your team to excel in an ever-changing environment

Endorsements

“In THE EXECUTION REVOLUTION, Johan Grönstedt presents a compelling case for focus in an age of distraction. His insights on prioritization and commitment culture will reshape how you think about strategy. And his framework will help you turn ambitious goals into tangible results.”

— Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author .

Johan’s insights into strategic execution are unparalleled. This book stands as a testament to his profound understanding of what it takes for companies to succeed in realizing their strategic goals. We are thrilled to be part of this journey with Johan, bringing this essential guide to managers and executives worldwide.

— Martin Liu, Publisher & COO of LID