Planning is Mandatory, Progress is Optional
Leadership Thoughts Issue #206
A plan without action is like a compass without a traveler.
Let's Talk About Planning
How often have you created a plan for your career, business, or personal life, only to let it sit untouched and gather dust? If you're nodding in agreement, you're not alone. While planning is essential, making progress is optional—a lesson I've learned the hard way.
Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted as saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." It's hard to disagree with such a historical figure. Planning is indeed essential for success; without it, we risk just going through the motions, hoping for the best. However, Ben's quote overlooks a critical point: planning alone won't lead us to our goals. I've witnessed and participated in creating impressive strategic plans, only to see them shelved and forgotten until it was time for the next revision.
Although we may check all the boxes in our planning processes, we frequently fail to follow through on implementation. We often start with good intentions but can easily become sidetracked by daily challenges or give up in frustration.
When I say that planning is mandatory, but progress is optional, it may seem contradictory. If we have a plan, shouldn't it lead us to show progress? Not necessarily. A plan serves as a map, guiding us in the right direction and providing key waypoints, but it doesn’t navigate the journey for us. Progress requires action, accountability, and adaptability.
Many reasons exist for why people fail to act after planning, but I believe the three most prevalent are:
People become paralyzed by perfectionism and the fear of failure.
Planning is comfortable and it feels productive, but the work starts with execution.
Plans will fade into the background unless there are regular check-ins where people are held accountable for implementing the plan.
Why Planning Matters (and Why We Can't Skip It)
It Gives Us a Clear Direction
Without a plan, we tend to drift, often stopping to admire shiny objects along the way. We become easily seduced by the latest innovations, programs, or processes, tempted to try each new offering that promises quick solutions for progress and success. However, effective planning and a commitment to implementation compel us to define our goals, clarify our priorities, measure our progress, and establish a clear path to achieve our carefully selected objectives.
It Helps Us Prepare for the Unknown
When a strategic plan is well-developed, it considers both anticipated challenges and unforeseen circumstances. A solid plan will consider potential risks, prepare for obstacles, and offer solutions when unexpected situations arise. While it's impossible to forecast every scenario, a thoughtfully constructed plan allows for flexibility and alternate routes when needed.
Consider packing for a trip: you may check the weather forecast and see that it’s sunny, but occasional rain showers can occur. It’s wise to pack an umbrella along with your sunglasses.It Aligns People and Resources
A well-designed plan helps allocate people and resources effectively to achieve the outlined goals and processes. All decisions related to the direction and daily tasks should address the question: How does this align with our agreed-upon goals and direction?
A Plan is a Tool, Not a Trophy
Planning can be invigorating. It gives us the opportunity to dream, envision the future, and clarify our mission, vision, values, and goals. However, many people encounter a common hurdle: they believe that progress will occur simply because they have created a plan. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. The true challenge lies in executing the plan, which is where the real work begins.
A Plan Is Just Words Without Action
I once worked with a school district that spent a year developing a 114-page strategic plan. They created a beautifully designed document that was professionally printed and distributed to all the district principals, expecting them to implement their respective parts of the plan. This impressive document also met the requirements of the Department of Education and satisfied some demanding community members. However, despite this considerable effort, the plan remained shelved for the following five years until the district was required to submit a new strategic plan to the Department of Education.
This illustrates my point: progress is optional. Having a plan alone does not ensure intentional action or accountability in implementing it.Plans Are Too Rigid or Become Outdated
I have noticed that many strategic plans remain static rather than serving as dynamic documents that guide and adapt to changes. At the Pennsylvania Leadership Development Center, we have embraced the perspective of Charles Schwahn, a renowned author and thought leader, by using the term "strategic design" instead of "strategic plan." This shift emphasizes the flexibility of strategic design and encourages innovation, new ideas, and short-term incremental improvements. Adaptability is essential in both the planning and implementation processes.
Execution Requires Discipline and Accountability
The success of well-designed plans depends on holding ourselves and others accountable. To achieve progress, we need disciplined actions, measurable goals, and the flexibility to adjust when necessary. Effective organizations monitor their progress, embrace accountability, and are willing to adapt throughout the process.
Turn Planning into Progress
How can we ensure that all our planning efforts are not wasted in terms of time and resources? Here are three suggestions that, when followed, can make a significant difference:
Treat plans as flexible guides rather than fixed blueprints.
Set clear and measurable goals but be open to pivoting or resetting as necessary.
Revisit your plans on a regular schedule and more frequently when needed.
Dissect Goals into Actionable Steps
A strong vision is essential, but progress comes from small, consistent actions. Focus on milestones—what needs to be achieved this month to move us closer to our identified goals?
Build a Culture of Accountability
Individuals and teams should set goals that align with organizational objectives, and everyone must be held accountable through regular check-ins. Ask the following: What's working? What's not? What needs to change?
Your Plan is Only as Good as What You Do With It
Effective planning is essential for an organization to achieve success, but without action, a plan is meaningless. The strategic design process encompasses both setting a clear direction and ensuring alignment across the organization. As my friend Charlie Schwahn says, the real work begins with aligning people, processes, policies, and actions with the established plan.
Ask yourself:
Do I have a plan that I haven’t acted on yet?
Have I established accountability and regular check-ins?
Am I treating my plan as a living document rather than a one-time project?
Keep in mind that progress is a choice. What is one plan you've been thinking about revisiting? Make the decision to act on that plan today. Take at least one step—whether big or small—toward executing a strategy you've been postponing. Afterward, come back and share what you accomplished!