---
title: "1 Strategies Fail Quotes By Richard P. Rumelt"
description: "1 Strategies Fail quotes by Richard P. Rumelt. Plus more from Richard P. Rumelt and more Strategies Fail sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/716/richard-p-rumelt-27695_accomplished_one-of-the-problems-many-leaders-report_2759944.jpg"
---

> [One of the problems many leaders report is a gap between strategy and execution. Usually this "gap" arises because the so-called "strategy" is a set of financial performance goals, not an approach to overcoming challenges. The two key ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/one-of-the-problems-many-leaders-report-is-a-gap-between-strategy-and/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/716/richard-p-rumelt-27695_accomplished_one-of-the-problems-many-leaders-report_2759944.jpg)

## More by Richard P. Rumelt

> [“The product lineup was too complicated and the company was bleeding cash. A friend of the family asked me which Apple computer she should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-product-lineup-was-too-complicated-and-the-company-was-bleeding/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“Whatever you think about this definition of leadership, a problem arises when it is confused with strategy. Leadership and strategy may be joined in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/whatever-you-think-about-this-definition-of-leadership-a-problem/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [You overcome the logical resistance to change by proving that a new approach actually works, usually on a small scale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/you-overcome-the-logical-resistance-to-change-by-proving-that-a-new/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [The US needs military/defense, economic, and social strategies. A medium-sized business, by contrast, is normally best off focusing its efforts on a single crucial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-us-needs-military-defense-economic-and-social-strategies-a-medium/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“The most basic idea of strategy is the application of strength against weakness. Or, if you prefer, strength applied to the most promising opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-most-basic-idea-of-strategy-is-the-application-of-strength/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“Many people call the guiding policy “the strategy” and stop there. This is a mistake. Strategy is about action, about doing something. The kernel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/many-people-call-the-guiding-policy-the-strategy-and-stop-there-this/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“Bad strategy may actively avoid analyzing obstacles because a leader believes that negative thoughts get in the way. Leaders may create bad strategy by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/bad-strategy-may-actively-avoid-analyzing-obstacles-because-a-leader/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“It is often said that a strategy is a choice or a decision. The words “choice” and “decision” evoke an image of someone considering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/it-is-often-said-that-a-strategy-is-a-choice-or-a-decision-the-words/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [A real strategy is a coherent mix of policy and action designed to overcome a significant challenge. So a sensible employee might indeed say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/a-real-strategy-is-a-coherent-mix-of-policy-and-action-designed-to/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [Change is difficult and it takes time. It is hard for people to change their own behavior, much less that of others. Change programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/change-is-difficult-and-it-takes-time-it-is-hard-for-people-to-change/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“Nevertheless, the doctrine that one can impose one’s visions and desires on the world by the force of thought alone retains a powerful appeal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/nevertheless-the-doctrine-that-one-can-impose-one-s-visions-and/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“Not miscalculation, bad strategy is the active avoidance of the hard work of crafting a good strategy. One common reason for choosing avoidance is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/not-miscalculation-bad-strategy-is-the-active-avoidance-of-the-hard-2/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [A good strategy focuses efforts on a target, and that focus can only be achieved by not diffusing energy in other directions - that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/a-good-strategy-focuses-efforts-on-a-target-and-that-focus-can-only/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [“The best answer to this puzzle is that the real surprise was that such a pure and focused strategy was actually implemented. Most complex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-best-answer-to-this-puzzle-is-that-the-real-surprise-was-that/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

> [One of the problems many leaders report is a gap between strategy and execution. Usually this "gap" arises because the so-called "strategy" is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/one-of-the-problems-many-leaders-report-is-a-gap-between-strategy-and/)

[Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/)

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