Strategy development is not just about documents or processes, but also about people. A well-formed team plays a key role in the success of a strategic project. If the team is selected incorrectly, even the most ambitious plans can remain on paper. Let's look at who should be part of a strategic team, what qualities are especially important for its members, and how to avoid mistakes when forming it.
Who should be part of a strategic team?
The optimal composition of the team depends on the business size, but several key roles should always be considered:
- Top managers. They set the overall tone of the work, shape the business vision, and are responsible for the strategy implementation.
- Middle management. These people have the best understanding of the current state of affairs in the company and can propose practical solutions. The team should include key leaders whose actions are crucial for the successful implementation of the strategy.
- Experts and analysts. This is not a mandatory but desirable category, especially if the strategy aims at radical changes. They bring knowledge about the market, trends, and the competitive environment to the team.
- Employees who will implement the strategy. Key specialists and opinion leaders within the team. Without their involvement, the strategy may remain just on paper.
The ideal team size is from 3 to 15 people. This is enough to include all key participants and avoid redundancy.
What qualities should team members possess?
An effective strategic team includes people with different competencies and roles:
- Creative employees. They can look at familiar tasks from a new perspective, propose unconventional solutions, and formulate bold hypotheses.
- Analysts. Their task is to check the feasibility of ideas, find evidence for hypotheses, and ensure the connection between creative ideas and the company's real capabilities.
- Employees with broad experience. These are people who keep up with industry trends, understand market tendencies, and can take into account the best practices of competitors.
Why is the combination of creativity, analytics, and experience important?
Each member of the strategic team plays their important role. Creative employees generate ideas, experienced colleagues complement them with an understanding of market realities, and analysts help create a balanced and practical plan.
For example, when developing a strategy, it's necessary to envision how the company will evolve in three, five, or seven years. Without a creative approach, such tasks become routine. However, to avoid getting lost in dreams, it's important to involve analysts who can assess the feasibility of ideas. Meanwhile, experienced team members help understand what already works in the market and how to adapt the best solutions to the company's needs.
Problems with a narrow team composition
One of the common mistakes is limiting the team to just owners or managers. As practice shows, this often leads to failure.
Example:
Three company owners decided to develop the strategy on their own. They actively participated in the process, but the strategy's implementation became impossible. One of them moved abroad, and the others focused on current tasks. The team that could have taken on the strategic initiatives was never formed. The result — the strategy remained unimplemented.
How to form an effective strategic team?
- Include people with different roles and competencies.. Diversity of perspectives ensures a comprehensive analysis and seamless dissemination of strategic ideas within the company.
- Engage those who will implement the strategy. This reduces the risk of the plan remaining only on paper.
- Invest in the team's broad perspective. Organize training, meetings with experts, and trend analysis so that members can see beyond their current tasks.
Forming a strategic team is the foundation of successful strategy development and implementation. Team members must be ready not only to dream and analyze but also to take responsibility for the company's future. Choose your team wisely, and your strategy will become a powerful tool for achieving your goals.
Want to know more - watch the video "Developing a Business Strategy: 6 Key Tips to Get You Started" in which Alexander Pankov shares valuable advice for companies starting to develop a strategy.
