The Hidden Step That Makes Good Strategies Great
Crafting a strategy is hard work. After investing time and energy into crafting a thoughtful plan, it can be tempting to call it done and move on. But here’s the truth: no strategy is perfect, and that’s okay.
The key to success isn’t perfection. It’s pressure-testing your strategy to refine it, uncover blind spots, and build support before execution. This step is called validation, and it’s the secret to turning good strategies into great ones.
Why Validation is Essential
Strategies created in a vacuum rarely hold up under real-world conditions. Without input from diverse perspectives, it’s too easy to miss critical risks or practical realities. That’s where validation comes in.
Validation delivers three big benefits:
It strengthens your plan by identifying weak spots and turning them into opportunities.
It boosts buy-in by including stakeholders from across the organization, creating a sense of shared ownership.
It builds momentum by spotting early champions who can amplify excitement and flagging detractors who might raise valid concerns.
Five Ways to Validate Like a Pro
Validation is more than a “gut check.” It’s a process that ensures our strategy is ready for action. Here’s how to approach it:
Think from all angles: Use methods like Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats to gather feedback that covers logic, emotions, creativity, and more.
Talk to the frontlines: Share the strategy with team members who will execute it. Their practical insights can make or break your plan.
Imagine failure: Run a pre-mortem where you assume the strategy has failed. Ask, “What went wrong?” This exercise uncovers risks you might overlook.
Gauge reactions: Test the waters with stakeholders. Champions will show you where the enthusiasm is, and critics can help refine the plan.
Listen to learn: Invite structured feedback, not to defend the strategy, but to make it stronger.
Validation Fuels Future Success
Validation isn’t just about avoiding mistakes. It’s about unlocking insights that make our strategy stronger, smoother to execute, and more aligned across your organization. The work we put into this process pays off in clarity, commitment, and confidence.
The real question isn’t whether our strategy is “done.” It’s whether it’s ready. And validation is the way to get it there.
