Ch. 4 STRATEGY IN THE REAL WORLD; CEO Study Group

A strategy isn’t a slide deck—it’s the choices you make when it counts.

• Chapter 4 in a 12-Chapter Executives’ Club exclusive series
• Executives’ Club Fargo-Moorhead + Executives Institute Members exclusively

4:00 pm | Member Social

4:30 pm | Welcome & Framing (10 minutes)

• Brief opening remarks
• Recap of previous chapter: Systems
• Today’s focus: strategy in practice—how leaders move from intention to intelligent action

Rule Discussions & Breakouts (60 minutes total – 12 minutes each)

Each segment includes:

• Lead-in quote or statement
• Ask the Right Question
• Brief discussion or 2-person breakout
• Key takeaway + Action prompt

Rule No.3: Differentiate or Die

If your business disappeared tomorrow, would anyone truly miss it?

• Ask: What do we do—or offer—that no one else does in quite the same way?
• Example: Amazon didn’t just sell books—they revolutionized convenience.
• Action Prompt: Identify one aspect of your business that needs sharper differentiation.

Rule No.4: Play the Long Game

Most businesses overestimate what they can do in a quarter, and underestimate what they can build in a decade.

• Ask: What trade-offs are we willing to make in the short term to win long term?
• Example: Apple delayed releasing a phone until it redefined the category.
• Action Prompt: Name one initiative you should stick with—even if results are slow.

Rule No.5: Make Fewer, Bolder Moves

Trying to do everything ensures you’ll do nothing well.

• Ask: What bold move have we been avoiding because it feels risky—but might be exactly what’s needed?
• Example: Netflix shifting from DVD rental to streaming
• Action Prompt: Identify one bold strategic move that deserves real consideration.

Rule No.25: Ask Better Questions

The quality of your strategy is determined by the quality of your thinking.

• Ask: What’s the question we should be asking—but aren’t?
• Example: Instead of “How do we grow 10%?” ask “Are we in the right market?”
• Action Prompt: Write one powerful strategic question to take back to your team.

Rule No.26: Define It. Measure It. Achieve It.

If it’s not defined, it’s not real. If it’s not measured, it won’t improve.

• Ask: Where are we relying on vague goals instead of concrete targets?
• Example: “Improve customer experience” vs. “Reduce support response time to under 2 hours.”
• Action Prompt: Choose one strategic metric that needs immediate definition or refinement.

Group Reflection & Takeaways (10 minutes)

• What rule hit hardest—and why?
• What strategic blind spot became clear?
• Roundtable: One action I’ll take in the next 30 days to sharpen our strategy is…

Closing & Next Chapter Preview (10 minutes)

Preview: Chapter 5 – Execution Beats Ideas

Execution wins—because ideas without action don’t.
Theme: Discipline, Momentum & Follow-Through

You’ve defined where you’re going. Now comes the hard part: doing the work.

Chapter 5 is about closing the gap between knowing and doing—because the best strategies die in the hands of leaders who can’t execute. This is where discipline outperforms talent, and consistency outpaces creativity.

We’ll tackle five powerful rules that cut through excuses and force progress:

• Rule No.7: Momentum Beats Motivation – You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your habits.
• Rule No.8: Don’t Mistake Movement for Progress – Busyness isn’t the same as effectiveness.
• Rule No.9: Focus Beats Multitasking – Depth creates results. Distraction drains them.
• Rule No.27: Do the Hard Things First – The uncomfortable tasks are usually the most important.
• Rule No.28: Learn by Doing – Action is the best teacher. Clarity follows execution, not the other way around.

In Chapter 5, we’ll shift from bold plans to daily progress—and build the habits that actually move the needle. Strategy may set the direction, but execution gets you there.