--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The smart strategist allows strategy to…" description: "\"The smart strategist allows strategy to be shaped by events. Good reactions can make great strategy. Strategy involves competition of goals, and the ri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/max-mckeown-13226_ability_the-smart-strategist-allows-strategy-to_649165.jpg" --- # The smart strategist allows strategy to be shaped by… ![“The smart strategist allows strategy to be shaped by events. Good reactions can make great strategy. Strategy involves competition of goals, and the risk is the difference between those goals and the ability of the organization to achieve them. So part of the risk is created by the strategy.” quote by Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/max-mckeown-13226_ability_the-smart-strategist-allows-strategy-to_649165.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/max-mckeown-13226_ability_the-smart-strategist-allows-strategy-to_649165.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a6/max-mckeown-13226_ability_the-smart-strategist-allows-strategy-to_649165.jpg) > “The smart strategist allows strategy to be shaped by events. Good reactions can make great strategy. Strategy involves competition of goals, and the risk is the difference between those goals and the ability of the organization to achieve them. So part of the risk is created by the strategy.” [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective strategy emerges from adapting to circumstances, not just planning; risk stems from gaps between goals and capabilities. **In simple terms:** Strategy adapts to events; risk is goal‑capability gap. Key Takeaway Align goals with realistic capabilities. Themes strategy adaptation risk competition leadership Mood cautious analytical Type pragmatic insightful When to use this quote - business planning - military operations - crisis management - product development Key Concepts Dynamic planning risk assessment goal alignment Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance foresight with flexibility? - What metrics reveal capability gaps? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on rigid plans can blind you to emerging opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Strategist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategist/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) ## Related quotes > [“Southwest’s strategy involves a whole system of activities, not a collection of parts. Its competitive advantage comes from the way its activities fit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-porter/southwest-s-strategy-involves-a-whole-system-of-activities-not-a/) [Michael E. Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-porter/) > [You may not be interested in strategy, but strategy is interested in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-trotsky/you-may-not-be-interested-in-strategy-but-strategy-is-interested-in/) [Leon Trotsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-trotsky/) > [Any strategy that involves crossing a valley accepting short-term losses to reach a higher hill in the distance will soon be brought to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/any-strategy-that-involves-crossing-a-valley-accepting-short-term/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [“Strategy involves creating “fit” among a company’s activities. Fit has to do with the ways a company’s activities interact and reinforce one another. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-porter/strategy-involves-creating-fit-among-a-company-s-activities-fit-has/) [Michael E. 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To succeed, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-ferling/an-effective-strategy-almost-always-involves-both-doing-something-and/) [John E Ferling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-ferling/) > [Mission defines strategy, and strategy defines structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/mission-defines-strategy-and-strategy-defines-structure/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Protest is best used when it's part of a strategy that involves escalating tactics that build pressure on targets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-garza/protest-is-best-used-when-it-s-part-of-a-strategy-that-involves/) [Alicia Garza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-garza/) > [What the ten commandments set forth is a strategy. This strategy is a strategy for dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-north/what-the-ten-commandments-set-forth-is-a-strategy-this-strategy-is-a/) [Gary North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-north/) > [Strategists who don’t take time to think are just planners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/strategists-who-don-t-take-time-to-think-are-just-planners/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [The task of the strategist and leadership team is to reduce uncertainty in the areas that they can directly influence in order to pursue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/the-task-of-the-strategist-and-leadership-team-is-to-reduce/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [The real heart of strategy is the strategist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/the-real-heart-of-strategy-is-the-strategist/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [I'm a strategist, not a motivator. I'm obsessed with finding strategies that create real results in the shortest period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/i-m-a-strategist-not-a-motivator-i-m-obsessed-with-finding-strategies/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) ## More by Max McKeown > [Strategy is not a solo sport, even if you're the CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/strategy-is-not-a-solo-sport-even-if-you-re-the-ceo/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Change is not overcoming inertia as much as it is redirecting, guiding, tweaking what already is and what has already happened. We must believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/change-is-not-overcoming-inertia-as-much-as-it-is-redirecting-guiding/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Change is inevitable, progress is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/change-is-inevitable-progress-is-not/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [“Only the right pain gets the right gain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/only-the-right-pain-gets-the-right-gain/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [“You get told to look before you leap. But if you are too careful you may end up just looking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/you-get-told-to-look-before-you-leap-but-if-you-are-too-careful-you/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Whenever a maker and a thinker get together, really cool stuff happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/whenever-a-maker-and-a-thinker-get-together-really-cool-stuff-happens/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Corporate strategy is usually only useful if you get people engaged with helping you to make it work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/corporate-strategy-is-usually-only-useful-if-you-get-people-engaged/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [With a clever strategy, each action is self-reinforcing. Each action creates more options that are mutually beneficial. Each victory is not just for today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/with-a-clever-strategy-each-action-is-self-reinforcing-each-action/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [There are immense numbers of potential entrepreneurs who can start their own businesses among the people who are working in large organisations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/there-are-immense-numbers-of-potential-entrepreneurs-who-can-start/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Becoming a strategic thinker is about opening your mind to possibilities. It’s about seeing the bigger picture. It’s about understanding the various parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/becoming-a-strategic-thinker-is-about-opening-your-mind-to/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Innovation is new stuff that is made useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/innovation-is-new-stuff-that-is-made-useful/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [“Embrace the perpetual joy of moving perpetually forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/embrace-the-perpetual-joy-of-moving-perpetually-forward/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [“Your life is what happens when you're busy trying to become unbusy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/your-life-is-what-happens-when-you-re-busy-trying-to-become-unbusy/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [“Nowists get off on getting on, so they run when they could walk, jump when they could sit and dance when they could sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/nowists-get-off-on-getting-on-so-they-run-when-they-could-walk-jump/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [Following the rules of your industry will only get you so far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/following-the-rules-of-your-industry-will-only-get-you-so-far/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) [Explore all 51 Max McKeown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. 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Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The smart strategist allows strategy to be shaped by events. 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