Don't Jump to Solutions: Thirteen Delusions That Undermine Strategic Thinking

Introduction: The Perils of Acting First and Thinking Later.

Part One: Challenge Commonly Held Assumptions.

1. We Have A Great Plan:Comparing Visions and Realities.

2. We Are Number One:Letting Go of the World Class Myth.

3. We Own The Market:Assessing Relationships with Markets.

Part Two: Establish Goals That Make a Difference.

4. We Have Already Changed:Moving Beyond the Status Quo.

5. We Know the Right Way:Overcoming Obsessions With Technical Correctness.

6. We Just Need One Big Win:Avoiding Chasing Purple Rhinos.

7. We Have Consensus:Managing Conflicts of Values and Priorities.

8. We Have to Make the Numbers:Balancing Short Term and LongTerm.

Part Three: Make Sure That Plans Lead to Actions.

9. We Have the Ducks Lined Up:Navigating the Tangled Webs of Relationships.

10. We Have the Necessary Processes:Avoiding Institutionalized Conflicts.

11. We Just Have to Execute:Maintaining Commitment and Action.

Part Four: Expect the Unexpected.

12. We Found It Was Easy:Making Sure You Don't Skip the Hard Part.

13. We Succeeded as We Planned:Placing Yourself in the Path of Serendipity.

Appendix: Seventy Key Questions.