Article Summary
According to research by Strategy&/PwC involving more than 700 executives across industries, only 8% of company leaders excel at both strategy and execution. This is a significant finding as both capabilities are crucial for effective leadership.
Key Findings
- Most leaders (63%) scored well in either strategy or execution, but not both
- 16% of leaders were rated poorly on both capabilities
- Those who excel at both tend to display specific behaviors that set them apart
Characteristics of Leaders Who Master Both
- They're active in developing unique capabilities within their organization
- They ensure their company's strategy is clearly understood throughout all levels
- They spend time on both long-term strategic thinking and day-to-day execution
- They align company culture with their strategic priorities
Implications
The research suggests that organizations need to focus on developing leaders who can bridge the strategy-execution gap. This involves creating development programs that build both strategic thinking and execution capabilities simultaneously, rather than treating them as separate skills.
The authors emphasize that this rare combination of skills can be developed through conscious effort and proper training, rather than being innate talents that leaders either have or don't have.
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