Scheduling the Strategy Session
It is most effective to schedule strategy sessions when data are available. In most cases, this is every 45 days or 90 days. A strategy meeting would not be successful if scheduled before data needed to inform the work are available. We use data that informs progress toward the goal to make a judgement about how well we are executing strategic actions to accomplish the goal.
Reviewing Data
By reviewing full execution of the planned actions for success, we can begin to identify the “why” of the extent to which we are achieving goals. This also encourages discussion of opportunities for improvement and extended goal achievement.
Celebrating Wins
Strategy sessions are ideal times to recognize individual and team wins based on the data. Celebrating success helps maintain the focus for improvement as well as provide others with stories of success. Listening to the “why of success” may provide ideas to others about strategies or processes for improvement.
Breaking Down Silos
Sharing the data or metrics aligned to strategic goals at the session in an open and transparent way, supports a positive work environment and reduces siloed work and achievement. Sharing updates across the division, departments, teams, and team members encourages problem solving throughout the organization and supports collaboration for success. Strategy sessions also provide a forum for open and honest conversation about challenges and resources. The more we involve the entire team in the discussion, the richer the options for improvement. This open discussion helps to build trust needed to achieve greater outcomes.
Decision-making
The strategy session may be an opportunity for more input from team members or it could be a decision-making opportunity. It should be clear during the meeting when, how, and who will make the final decisions. The diagram below outlines one process for making decisions. The leader knows in advance what the decision points are and is comfortable with shared decision-making before determining specific next steps for implementing the decision.