Accomplished Quote by 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 set of financial performance goals, not an approach to overcoming challenges. The two key ways to narrow this gap are to avoid bad strategies that fail to explain how to proceed and to establish a proximate objective - something which can be accomplished and which will open the door to further progress.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Business Strategy Talk, 2010
Leaders often face a gap between strategy and execution due to vague goals; narrowing it requires clear, actionable objectives.
In simple terms: Strategy‑execution gap stems from vague goals.
Key Takeaway
Set concrete, proximate objectives.
Themes
leadership
strategy
execution
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- project planning
- team meetings
- product development
- budgeting
Key Concepts
goal‑setting
performance management
Questions to Reflect On
- What proximate objective can you define now?
- How will you measure progress?
A Different Perspective
Complex problems may need more than simple objectives.
![“[U]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle the apparatus of oppression.” quote by Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7b/shulamith-firestone-12980_accomplished_u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together_5485.jpg)
