Want a Winning Formula? Better Have Three
Never launch a strategic plan with only one way to win. Winning strategies require multiple paths to achieve success in order to adapt to real world dynamics. The discipline of devising three paths to achieve success offers flexibility and a much greater likelihood of meeting or exceeding objectives when the unexpected inevitably occurs.
What do I mean by three ways to win? I literally mean three completely independent sets of detailed initiatives that each achieve your desired outcome. While this may seem cumbersome, the reality is that most strategic planning processes naturally discuss and debate various paths toward a desired outcome.
Creating multiple ways to win often results in much more rapid growth, because partial or full success of a second or third path creates sizable opportunities for outperformance. If only one of your paths works, you meet your desired objectives. If two of your paths work, you exceed your desired results. And if three paths work in whole or in part, which is rare but possible, you’re a hero.
Importantly, the feedback generated by multiple parallel paths leads to better, real-time adjustments in all paths and increases the probability of success. Take the extra time to envision, plan and detail parallel paths that have a high probability to generate your desired objectives. Apply key measurements and feedback to each alternative path during execution. The resulting independent paths build confidence to achieve desired outcomes and deliver information that enhances the adjustments and results for each of the other independent paths. The additional feedback from all three paths yields significant value and real momentum toward your goals, even if circumstances don’t work out exactly as you expect.
Formulating three ways to win dramatically increases the likelihood of achieving and meaningfully surpassing your desired goals. And, who doesn’t like to win?
