#419 – January 26, 2026 Strategy in Practice: Using Foresight, Constraint, and Friction Hello, fellow strategists! We often obsess over flow — streamlining processes, removing barriers, seeking the path of least resistance. But a strategy that is too smooth often slips. More often, progress flounders because of an overlooked constraint, dysfunctional habit, or countervailing trend. […]
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#416 – November 17, 2025 Mindsets & Methods for Executing Strategy Hello, fellow strategists! In this edition, we focus on the forces that make strategy actually happen — from the psychology that can stall even the best intentions, to the middle managers who act as your organization’s nervous system, to the personal traits and habits
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#413 – September 15, 2025 Humans In the Loop Hello, fellow strategists! In this edition we focus on the oversized role certain individuals play in outcomes — whether that is bringing human originality to design when working with AI, managing crisis communications, streamlining the range of your products and services, or super-facilitating your team for
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#403 – March 16, 2025 [6 Minute Read] Blind Spots and Decision-Making Pitfalls In periods of change and chaos, it’s a good time to reflect on our blind spots and decision-making pitfalls. Here are some insights, frameworks and check-ins to help you achieve greater success with your strategies. Quick Takes: Common Causes of Bad Decisions:
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#401 – Jan. 2, 2025 [6 Minute Read] Welcome to a new year, strategy-makers! Here are some insights, frameworks and tools to help you make better strategic decisions in 2025… Three Off the Top: What Employees Say Matters Most to Motivate Performance: McKinsey research reveals that 72% of workers identify investing time and
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[READING TIME: 8 MINUTES] In this 8020Info Water Cooler, we look into the mindset of a changemaker, pitfalls of binary choices, qualities of a wise leader, the life cycle of an organization, and improving presentations. We’re also celebrating a milestone — Edition #400. Enjoy! 1. The Keys to a Changemaker Mindset Change consultant Greg Satell
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[READING TIME: 8 MINUTES] In this 8020Info Water Cooler, we consider mistakes in handling burnout, recruiting for five-hour workdays, revealing interview questions, non-descriptive branding, and the Kellogg framework for brand building. Enjoy! 1. Five Mistakes in Handling Burnout With burnout all-too-common, consultant Suzi McAlpine says there are five mistakes leaders must avoid while working with
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In this 8020Info Water Cooler we consider unique aspects of thinking strategically, what the worst bosses do, marketing with email signatures, advance interview questions, ethical boundaries, and a communications checklist for pre-testing your message. Enjoy!
What’s Different About Thinking Strategically?
Dealing with Ethics in the Workplace
Three Things the Worst Bosses Do
Email Signature Essentials
The List: Use Interview Questions in Advance
A Communications Checklist for Your Message
Reading — The Experience Mindset
Reading — Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
Vol-23_No-12_Aug-21-2023 Read More »
In this 8020Info Water Cooler we look at different aspects of using AI tools (and where to start), how to stop a habit of being late, why we should write things down, and some tips on why partnering strategies fail. Enjoy!
Where to Start with AI
Rethink Idea Generation in an AI World
Tips to Stop Being Late
Why Write This Down
Where AI Writing Is Weak
Why Partnering Strategies Fail
Reading – The Perfection Trap
Reading – Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life
Vol-23_No-11_July-31-2023 Read More »
In this 8020Info Water Cooler we look at six types of generative AI, common pitfalls for strategy, the habit of overpreparing, defining content fundamentals, navigating succession in family businesses, and finding flow in a world of overwhelm. Enjoy!
Understanding Six Types of Generative AI
Define Your Content Fundamentals
Curbing Tendencies to Overprepare
Strategies for Family Business Succession
The List: Six Strategic Pitfalls to Avoid
Finding Flow in a World of Overwhelm
Reading: Power to the Middle
Reading: Infinity in the Palm of Your Hand
Vol-23_No-10_July-10-2023 Read More »
