Strategy.exe: Compiling Vision into an Executable
Just as programming languages are compiled into .exe files that computers can understand and execute, effective strategy requires translation into affordances of each participant and orchestration of their actions. Without this clarity and harmony, leadership remains merely aspirational.
Just as programming languages are compiled into .exe files that computers can understand and execute, an effective strategy must be translated into actionable affordances for each participant and orchestrated into coordinated actions. Without this clarity and logical harmony, leadership remains merely aspirational.
In software development, ideas are first transformed into algorithms and then written as code in programming languages. This code is compiled into a format that computers can understand and execute. Similarly, in music, complex compositions are crafted as holistic pieces and then broken down into individual notes for each instrument. This process simplifies the immense complexity of the composition into the straightforward act of playing notes from a sheet. The unforgiving chain of clarity and logic is the secret behind how immensely complex visions are transformed into tangible realities, whether through software and computers or the harmonious execution of complicated musical pieces by large orchestras.
In contrast, business operates within a much more forgiving chain of clarity and tolerant of logical correctness. A vision may begin as vague, unstructured, and lacking sharp definition—yet it is still passed along. Goals, outcomes, and objectives are often verbose textual renditions of the vision, padded with paraphrased explanations, numbers, and milestones. Actions are then defined similarly, serving as yet another textual reworking of goals, outcomes, and objectives—this time with the names of departments and individuals attached. By the time this stage is reached, immense time and resources are often spent producing PowerPoint slides. The chain of clarity remains invisible, as the process is merely an iterative verbal and textual rehashing of earlier inputs. Without embedding logic and logistics into this chain, leadership artifacts often end up stillborn, obsolete, or infeasible within a short time.
Notions such as self-organized teams, avoiding micromanagement, delegation, empowerment, and decentralization are often proposed as solutions. However, they do not address the fundamental challenge of compiling a vision into something actionable and executable. Instead, these concepts are widely accepted rhetorical responses, often used to deflect or preempt the demand for leadership grounded in clarity and logic. Can a large orchestra of 120 players discuss and figure out how to execute a harmonious piece as good as Mozart’s? There is no way such a miraculous emergence happens without an executable rendition (notes for each) and orchestration (conductor). All strategic outcomes are irreducibly complex, therefore, they need a designer and conductor to cut through the complexity.
The hints for a great solution are discussed in this post.
