Winning with Strategy: The Surprising Power of the 'F Word'

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As we kick off the year, there's one principle that stands out above all others: focus. Being laser-focused on overcoming your number one strategic problem can make all the difference in driving meaningful results for your business.

I’ve spent years building Coltivar and helping businesses—from startups to billion-dollar organizations—turn their strategies into higher firm value. Through this work, I’ve observed a common thread among leaders who struggle to execute their strategies effectively. They are smart, capable, and well-resourced, but their results fall short due to a lack of focus. 

The Root Cause of Strategic Struggles

In today’s fast-paced, information-rich world, distractions are endless. The availability of instant answers, tools like ChatGPT, and the flood of data can overwhelm even the most seasoned leaders. When everything feels urgent, it becomes challenging to zero in on what matters most.

A common pitfall for many leaders is the “flavor of the day” syndrome. Inspired by the latest book, podcast, or conference, they frequently shift strategies, leaving their teams confused and their organizations underperforming. Like an aspiring musician who flits from piano to drums to violin without mastering any instrument, these leaders fail to see results because they don’t stick with one approach long enough to succeed. 

A Simple, Proven Approach to Strategy

Here’s the truth: strategy, at its core, is about focus. Strip away the jargon, frameworks, and buzzwords, and strategy boils down to this:

1. Identify your number one constraint, your strategic problem

2. Allocate your resources disproportionately to solving that problem

That’s it. By focusing your energy on solving your strategic problem, you’ll achieve more sustainable results than if you constantly chase the next shiny object.

Do More, Do Better, Do New—In That Order

To break free from the cycle of distractions, follow this process:

1. Do More: Before chasing innovation, double down on what you’re already doing. Increase volume, get more reps, and gather data

2. Do Better: Optimize and refine your processes to eliminate inefficiencies and improve outcomes

3. Do New: Only after mastering and optimizing your current strategies should you explore new initiatives

Too often, leaders flip this order, chasing the new without mastering the fundamentals. This approach wastes time, confuses teams, and stalls progress.

Protecting Your Team’s Time
 

Great CEOs don’t just focus their own energy—they protect their teams’ time. They simplify workloads by eliminating low-priority tasks and emphasizing high-value initiatives. This clarity boosts morale and engagement, showing employees that their time is valued.

For example, instead of piling on new projects, ask your team: “What’s the most impactful thing you’re working on? Let’s eliminate distractions so you can focus on that.” This mindset builds trust and ensures everyone is aligned toward solving the most pressing problems.

The Case for Consistency

At Coltivar, we use a time-tested system for strategy: defining the strategic problem, setting initiatives, creating actionable hypotheses, and measuring results. We’ve refined and optimized this framework over a decade, but the core principles remain the same. Consistency in approach allows for continuous improvement and greater long-term success.

If you’re constantly jumping between frameworks, you’re starting from scratch every time. Instead, stick to a system, refine it as needed, and trust the process.

Focus: The Catalyst for Success