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1. Strategy Isn’t Goals—It’s a Clear Response to a Real Challenge

Most organizations confuse goals, vision statements, and buzzwords with strategy.

  • A good strategy diagnoses the problem, formulates a guiding policy, and outlines coherent action.
  • A bad strategy is filled with fluff, ambition without direction, and wishful thinking.
  • Strategy must focus and prioritize, not try to be everything to everyone.

💡 Strategy isn’t about slogans—it’s about solving problems with clarity and force.

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2. The Kernel of Good Strategy: 3 Core Elements 🌰

✔️ Diagnosis – Clearly define the challenge.

✔️ Guiding Policy – Develop a high-level approach to address it.

✔️ Coherent Actions – Align efforts and resources to the guiding policy.

💡 Without these three elements, you're not strategizing—you’re daydreaming.

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3. Avoid “Bad Strategy” Traps 🚫

Rumelt outlines common patterns of bad strategy:

✔️ Fluff – Buzzwords without substance.

✔️ Failure to face the problem – Avoiding harsh truths.

✔️ Mistaking goals for strategy – Setting targets without a game plan.

✔️ Lack of focus – Trying to pursue too many things at once

💡 Clarity is the enemy of bad strategy—don’t mask confusion with ambition.

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4. Leverage Strategic Leverage 🔧

✔️ Good strategy finds critical leverage points—actions that create disproportionate results.

✔️ Identify bottlenecks, pivotal opportunities, or hidden resources.

✔️ Don’t spread resources thin—concentrate effort where it counts most.

💡 Strategy is about focus, not force

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5. Ready to Think More Clearly, Act More Decisively?

Richard Rumelt’s Good Strategy, Bad Strategy offers a powerful framework to diagnose real problems and create strategies that cut through the noise.

👉 Get your copy here and start building strategies that actually deliver.

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6. Embrace Flexibility, Not Rigidity 🔄

✔️ A strong strategy is adaptive, not static.

✔️ Monitor the environment, test assumptions, and be ready to pivot.

✔️ Strategic thinking thrives on clarity, not control.

💡 Being strategic means thinking ahead, but also thinking again.

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7. Strategic Thinking Requires Courage 🦁

✔️ Good strategy often means saying no to distractions and the status quo.

✔️ It challenges power structures, silos, and comforting narratives.

✔️ Great leaders embrace tough trade-offs, not just easy wins.

💡 You can’t be strategic if you’re afraid to offend or change direction.

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RICHARD P. RUMELT

“The most powerful strategies arise from an insightful diagnosis of the situation.”

RICHARD P. RUMELT

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9. Explore More Ideas on Strategy, Clarity, and High-Impact Decision-Making 🧭

Visit my Linktree at https://linktr.ee/maxturzan for:

📌 Access to my LinkedIn profile for frameworks, leadership tools, and productivity insights.

📌 Direct links to Books-A-Million, where you’ll find all the books I summarize.

📢 Let’s build smarter strategies that drive real progress—together. 🚀

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10. Summary – Strategy Isn’t a Dream, It’s a Discipline 🌟

From Good Strategy, Bad Strategy, you’ll learn to:

✅ Distinguish between real strategy and empty ambition.

✅ Focus on diagnosing the real problem before jumping to action.

✅ Develop guiding policies and coherent actions for lasting results.

✅ Avoid common strategic traps like fluff, vagueness, and goal-chasing.

✅ Think more clearly, act more decisively, and lead with intention.

💡 True strategy requires sharp thinking, clear focus, and the courage to choose—and to let go.

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IDEAS CURATED BY

max_turzanski

Passionate about personal growth, financial literacy, and business strategy. Exploring ways to build wealth, develop effective habits, and scale businesses. Let’s connect and share insights on self-improvement and financial success! 💼📚💡

CURATOR'S NOTE

Richard Rumelt pulls back the curtain on what separates vague wishful thinking from powerful, focused strategy—and how to craft plans that truly move the needle.

Curious about different takes? Check out our Good Strategy Bad Strategy Summary book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash users.

Different Perspectives Curated by Others from Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Curious about different takes? Check out our book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash curators:

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