What’s A Strategy, Anyway?

That was a much-discussed question at last week’s 2014 OPEN MINDS Executive Leadership Retreat.  In the health and human service field, I think there is some confusion – particularly among management teams of non-profit provider organizations. The reason is simple. As the U.S. health care system moves from a more regulated and centrally-planned system to a more competitive system, the definition of strategy changes.

First, let’s start with what a strategy is not. Strategy is not a strategic plan – that’s the documentation of strategy and related tactics for implementation.  And, strategy is not tactics . . .