How strategy feels

'Doing strategy' usually happens as a special event.

A venue is hired. There are some cake and biscuits on offer and filter coffee from an urn.

After a series of 'comfort breaks'... and more bad coffee...an official strategy document is usually produced from the scribblings on flip chart sheets, courtesy of everything that was discussed at the breakaway.

Because strategy is usually an event outside of the normal office ritual, it's a trigger for an interrogation of what was discussed and the feelings that this conjures up for people.

As a direct result of 'doing strategy' feelings of fear, frustration, confusion, worry and anger are not uncommon.

When presented with an approach that looks skewed in favour of those with the most power, feelings of resentment, hopelessness and bitterness are all par for the course

Sometimes you're lucky enough to escape the venue with a feeling of boredom or irritation.

With all of these kinds of emotions that are stirred by the pageantry of 'doing strategy', it's little wonder as to why most strategy is passively ignored, or actively sabotaged.

Good strategy feelings

A good strategy however really should leave you feeling excited and filled with hope.

Not because it offers a rose-tinted vision of a better tomorrow, but because it is rooted in honesty and truth and a fronting-up to the real problems an organisation is facing.

There should be an air of camaraderie between colleagues, a sense of achievement; and above all, a true belief in personal and collective agency to make important decisions and guide the direction of the future that is wanted.

Feelings of optimism and a belief in change are the perfect catalysts for an enthusiastic scramble into action.

The overwhelming consensus is that strategy is a logical, rational thinking activity.

Yes it is this, but also so much more than just this alone.

What's ignored / overlooked is the all-important emotional aspect of strategy...how it leaves people feeling.

Both sides need to be addressed if the purposeful consumption of questionable coffee is to be justified.