What is the Execution Revolution?

"Strategy" has become the corporate world's favorite catchphrase, tossed around in boardrooms and conference halls with abandon. Yet, behind the polished PowerPoint presentations and eloquent speeches lies a stark reality: most leaders haven't a clue what it truly means to execute strategy effectively. And they'd certainly never admit it. 

Call it fate or a series of questionable career choices, but I've found myself deeply entrenched in this world. My name is Johan, and I've devoted my professional life to the pursuit of excellence in strategy execution. As a seasoned management consultant and former Chief Strategy Officer, I've spent countless hours (more than I'd care to count, frankly) dissecting the complexities of strategy, cutting through the jargon to uncover the real secrets behind successful execution and transformative change.

The first step of solving a problem is recognizing that you have one

Here's the crux of the matter: We're not short on innovative ideas or good intentions. What we lack is the ability to translate those ideas into tangible results. It's a startling fact that nine out of ten strategic initiatives fail to meet their objectives on time, and organizations, on average, only achieve 63% of their projected financial outcomes. This execution gap is a drain on the global economy, costing us an estimated $1 million every 20 seconds. But the consequences go far beyond monetary loss. Our inability to execute effectively hampers our ability to address all things that are important to us, including the pressing global challenges of our time. The stakes are high; the potential consequences, dire.

And all the while, the world is simultaneously refusing to standing still. The pace of change is in fact accelerating, and our struggles with strategy execution are becoming increasingly apparent – and increasingly costly. We find ourselves on the sidelines, mere observers, often overwhelmed by the relentless demands and challenges of the modern world. But must we resign ourselves to this fate?

I, for one, refuse to accept it. 

This article is your invitation to step up and take a critical look at your own strategic execution capabilities. It's time to shift from passive passenger to active navigator in these transformative times. The future is ours to shape, but only if we're willing to seize the helm.

The truth is, the areas where we fail most often are startlingly simple, despite what complex theories the big consultancy firms may spin. The real tragedy lies in what these failures cost us—not just in missed financial bonuses or corporate targets, but in our collective inability to address critical global issues: climate change, aging populations, the mismanagement of public resources, and the deterioration of educational standards. These are monumental challenges that we are equipped to tackle, yet we falter.

 I believe we are at a defining moment. A moment where we can choose to accept the status quo or decide to strive for more. We must embrace the possibility that we can do better—that humanity is capable of greatness.

It's time for a few of us, driven by this belief, to lead the charge and inspire others. The Execution Revolution is about transforming our potential into action, about turning systemic failure into widespread success.

A Revolutionary Recepie

The recipe I present in my book might seem straightforward, but don't be misled—its simplicity is the hard-won result of rigorous testing and refinement in the crucible of real-world challenges. My tenure at a leading strategy execution software company provided me with an unparalleled vantage point. Through our platform, everyone from CEOs to frontline employees engaged weekly with their strategic objectives, transforming what was often abstract and intangible into concrete, measurable outcomes.

This unique dataset—spanning thousands of leaders and their teams across three continents and multiple years—allowed us to cut through theoretical fluff and witness the actual impact of strategic initiatives. We could see, in real-time, what worked and what didn't, transforming abstract strategies into clear, data-driven insights. This relentless cycle of application, evaluation, and refinement helped us hone a set of methodologies that truly work, not just in ivory towers, but in the demanding arenas of global business.

From this wealth of data and experience, we developed both a methodology and a supporting software that significantly enhance strategic execution. These tools have been battle-tested across diverse industries and cultural landscapes, proving their worth by delivering real, measurable results.

The culmination of this journey is the book you now have the opportunity to explore. It distills years of research and practical application into a concise, actionable guide, equipping you with the tools to enact meaningful change within your organization and beyond. This isn't just another dry strategy manual gathering dust on a shelf; it's a blueprint for sparking a revolution in execution, one that can fundamentally alter how we tackle both corporate challenges and the pressing issues facing our world.

By choosing this book, you're not simply acquiring knowledge; you're arming yourself with one of the most powerful toolkits available for enacting change on a grand scale—a skillset of unprecedented importance in our rapidly evolving world. This journey begins with a simple yet profound decision: the decision to do better, to aim higher.

Whether you're a CEO seeking to overhaul your organization's strategic performance or an individual driven by a broader ambition to effect substantial global change, this book is your gateway to making a real difference. Welcome to the Execution Revolution.

You are now part of a movement that transcends industries and borders. The Execution Revolution isn't confined to those who have already mastered the art of strategy; it's a clarion call to anyone who aspires to make a difference, who believes that a better world is possible and is ready to take action to make it a reality. Your reasons for joining may vary, but the goal remains the same: to achieve what once seemed unattainable.

Together, let's break free from the endless cycle of inertia and unfulfilled plans. The first step? Prioritization. When you pick up my book, you'll discover the power of focusing on what truly matters. So, start today by asking yourself: If you could improve just one thing in your life or work that would have the greatest impact, what would it be? Reflect on the ripple effects if that goal was given more exclusive space in your mind, your attention, your actions. Spend the week truly contemplating what that one great thing would be and why it matters so deeply. If you feel that goal is truly worth achieving, then check back for more content on how to make that happen on a grand scale.

Welcome to the Execution Revolution

where your actions today shape the world of tomorrow.