Strategy as Rugby: A New Metaphor

A fundamental tension exists within every strategy-making exercise around planning amid uncertainty. If we say that setting strategy involves “seeing around corners” or placing “educated bets,” how should leaders respond when there seem to be more unknowns than ever? A new piece by McKinsey captures an answer through an interview with the authors of a book on exactly this subject.  One quote in particular stands out:

“We have to accept that the way we progress will be more like rugby: a series of forward, backward, and sideways moves, and accepting that a number of the moves we make will fail.”

The environment is never stable. Things are always up in the air, so waiting for calm before setting a strategy is itself a losing proposition.