Why Good Strategies Go Bad…and How to Fix Them

So, you’ve put together a solid growth strategy…Fantastic! You’ve spent countless hours analyzing data, brainstorming ideas, and aligning your team around a clear vision. But as many business leaders know, crafting a plan is just the first step. The real challenge is making it work. Despite the best intentions, many businesses run into obstacles along the way. Whether it’s misaligned teams, unclear priorities, or unexpected market shifts, even the most well-thought-out strategies can fall flat. So if you’re facing roadblocks, you’re not alone. Studies show that nearly 70% of strategic initiatives fail to achieve their intended results.*

The good news is that most strategy execution problems have solutions. The key lies in understanding the root causes of failure and taking proactive steps to address them. Let’s explore why good strategies fail and, most importantly, how to get them back on track.

Poor Communication

A strategy is only effective if the team fully understands it. When the vision, goals, and action steps aren’t clearly communicated, employees may feel lost or disconnected from the plan. Without clarity, they won’t know where to focus their efforts or how their role contributes to the bigger picture. This misalignment can result in wasted resources, inefficiencies, and frustration throughout the organization.

How to Fix it:

Clarify the Plan: Instead of vague goals like “We want to grow revenue by 30%,” explain what that means for each department. For example, sales may need to target new markets, while marketing may need to refine lead generation efforts. Break down the strategy into actionable, department-specific steps.

Reinforce the Message: A single meeting isn’t enough. Keep discussing the strategy in team meetings, one-on-one sessions, and even informal chats. Repetition ensures the message sticks.

Keep It Simple: Ditch the jargon and explain things in clear, actionable terms. Use visuals to make complex ideas easier to understand.

Resistance to Change

Change is uncomfortable, and people often resist it if they don’t understand the “why” behind it. Even the most well-thought-out strategies can face resistance if key stakeholders aren’t fully on board. Employees may worry about how the changes will impact their roles. They may feel uncertain about new processes, or simply prefer sticking to familiar ways of working.Resistance can show up in different ways. Some employees may openly push back, voicing concerns or outright rejecting new initiatives. Others may resist more passively where they go through the motions without real commitment, avoiding new tasks, or slowing down implementation. Both forms of resistance can derail progress, creating delays, inefficiencies, and a drop in overall morale.

How to Fix it:

Involve Employees Early: Give your team a voice in shaping the strategy. When employees feel that they have contributed to the plan, they are more likely to support it.

Explain the ‘Why’: People are more likely to embrace change when they understand the purpose behind it. Clearly articulate how the strategy benefits not just the company, but also the team and individual employees. For instance, explain how new processes will make their jobs easier or create opportunities for growth.

Introduce Change Gradually: Avoid overwhelming your team with too much at once. Break the strategy into smaller, manageable steps and roll them out over time. This allows employees to adjust and build confidence as they go.Provide Support: Offer training, resources, and mentorship to help employees adapt to new ways of working. Acknowledge their concerns and address them proactively.

Lack of Accountability

A strategy without accountability is just a wish list. You can have the best plan in the world, but if no one is responsible for turning ideas into action, progress stalls. When accountability is unclear, teams may assume someone else is handling key tasks, leading to confusion, missed deadlines, and, ultimately, failed execution. As a result, businesses often experience slow or no progress, wasted resources and frustration and disengagement among teams.

How to Fix it:

Assign Ownership – Every initiative, project, or key action should have a person or team responsible for execution. Make it clear who is in charge, what they’re expected to deliver, and how their success will be measured.

Set Clear Deadlines – Avoid vague commitments like “We’ll work on it soon.” Define concrete timelines and milestones. Whether it’s a deadline for the first draft of a proposal or a target launch date for a new product, setting time-bound expectations keeps everyone focused.

Create Regular Check-Ins – A plan is not “set it and forget it.” Hold weekly, biweekly, or monthly meetings to review progress, discuss challenges, and make adjustments.

Use Accountability Tools – A project management tool that I use regularly is Trello. It works really well for tracking progress, assigning responsibilities, and setting deadlines.

Limited Resources

One of the biggest roadblocks to executing a strategy is a lack of resources (including people, time and money). Businesses, especially small and mid-sized ones, often face tough decisions on where to allocate limited funds, how to manage a stretched team, and how to execute ambitious plans with minimal time. Without the right approach, progress is hindered and teams get frustrated trying to do more with less.

How to Fix It:

Focus on What Moves the Needle - Not everything needs to be done at once. Instead of spreading resources thinly across multiple projects, focus on the most impactful actions first.

Be Resourceful - If hiring full-time staff isn’t an option, consider alternative ways to get things done efficiently. E.g Outsourcing, automation, leveraging free or low-cost tools)

Track Return on Investment (ROI) - Every pound, hour, or resource spent should contribute to business growth. If an initiative isn’t yielding results, be willing to shift resources elsewhere.

Lack of Adaptability

A strategy that worked six months ago may not work today. Markets shift, customer preferences change, and new challenges emerge. If your business is one that rigidly sticks to an outdated plan, you risk falling behind competitors, missing growth opportunities, or losing relevance. Adaptability is key to long-term success.

How to Fix It:

Monitor Progress and Performance - A strategy should never be set in stone. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) regularly to understand what’s working and what isn’t.

Stay Flexible and Open to Change - Be willing to tweak your approach based on up-to-date data and feedback. Businesses that can pivot quickly are more likely to seize new opportunities and navigate disruptions successfully.

Listen to Your Customers - Customer preferences and needs evolve. If your business isn’t keeping up, you risk losing their loyalty.

Executing a strategy isn’t always easy. Even the best plans can face obstacles, be it miscommunication, resistance to change, lack of accountability, or limited resources. However, these challenges aren’t roadblocks. They are opportunities to refine and strengthen your approach.Clear and consistent communication ensures that everyone understands the vision, their role, and how their contributions drive success. Establishing accountability keeps progress on track. Being resourceful with time, budget, and talent allows you to maximize your impact, even with constraints. Most importantly, adaptability is key. What works today may not work tomorrow. The ability to monitor, adjust, and refine your strategy in response to up-to-date data and feedback will determine long-term success.Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and no strategy unfolds exactly as planned. But with thoughtful execution, a commitment to learning, and the flexibility to pivot when needed, your strategy can transform from a great idea into real, measurable results.

*Harvard Business Review - https://hbr.org/2000/05/cracking-the-code-of-change

The above article is part of the Make Growth Happen Series which is tailored to empower business owners like you to develop the right strategy, structure and skills needed to take your business to the next level. .

Janice is a Certified Business Coach whose extensive knowledge and experience in various aspects of business has set her on a mission to help business leaders turn their Vision into Reality. She works with them to develop the right strategies, structure, and skills needed to take their business to the next level. She is the Author of The Ten Commandments of Crisis Management. Janice also works with Christian business owners who desire to run their businesses based on Biblical Principles.