They recognise that the world is too uncertain to make viable, long-term plans — so instead, they’re “being tactical.”
But what does that actually mean?
“Being tactical” now means avoiding major long-term commitments, chasing short-term wins, and favouring flexibility over fixed plans — for example: if X happens, we do A; if Y happens, we do B.
Yet, this is the Eastern approach to strategy — which focuses on working with the potential in a situation — which contrasts with the transitional Western approach, which tries to impose a fixed plan on reality.
Plans rarely survive contact with reality — and in today’s faster-moving, more uncertain world, leaders are finally recognising the flaw in this strategy-as-planning approach and, thankfully, are letting it go.
They’re not rejecting strategy in favour of tactics — they’re redefining what strategy is (they just don’t have the words for it yet, so they call it “being tactical”).
They realise effective strategy must be light and flexible, so they can adapt at speed whenever the situation changes. That’s how they can move fast to exploit new opportunities early or respond to threats better.
In the upcoming blog series, I’ll unpack this evolving approach to strategy — and show how you can apply it to make better, faster moves.
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