Stop Calling it Strategy w/ Simon Severino

Stop calling it strategy. Most leaders are not doing strategy; they are managing a glorified to-do list. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I sit down with Simon Severino, author of Strategy Sprints, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, and CEO of Strategy Sprints, to talk about how to lead with clarity, focus, and speed. Simon helps leaders design an operating rhythm that turns lofty visions into measurable weekly wins, all without adding more meetings or complexity. Simon has spent over two decades helping leaders enter markets, scale effectively, and remain competitive in uncertain times. His Strategy Sprints method replaces long planning cycles with focused 90-day sprints that keep teams learning, adapting, and moving fast. It is a system designed for real-life scenarios, where uncertainty is constant and leaders cannot afford to wait for perfect information. Simon reminds us that strategy is not about being right; it is about learning fast. His Focus Card is a simple but powerful tool: one page for your strategy, one tab for weekly metrics. Every Monday, teams set their priorities. Every Friday, they review what is working and what is not. It is a rhythm that keeps everyone focused and aligned, turning strategy from theory into practice. Simon also challenges leaders to build like Lego, not Duplo, modular, flexible, and fast to reconfigure. When markets shift, teams that move in small, adaptable units thrive. That mindset is not just tactical, it is cultural. It encourages curiosity, experimentation, and speed. The beauty of Simon’s method is its simplicity. It does not add complexity; it removes it. The Strategy Sprint approach helps leaders focus on what matters, cut through noise, and lead teams that win through clarity and cadence. My Takeaways 1.Plans list tasks. Strategy makes bets. Great leaders take responsibility for the assumptions they make. 2.Measure both cause and effect. Track the activities and the results they create. 3.Shorten your feedback loop. A Monday and Friday rhythm beats quarterly reviews every time. 4.Build modular. Smaller, faster systems are easier to adapt when the market shifts. 5.Seek truth, not validation. Try to invalidate your assumptions weekly. If they hold up, you are truly winning. When I asked Simon what he wished leaders understood about strategy, he said: “Do not try to prove you are right. Try to prove yourself wrong. If your assumptions survive, then you are winning.” And if you want to bring more focus and agility to your team, try Simon’s Focus Card exercise. You might be surprised at how much clarity one page can bring. Connect with Simon https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonseverino/ https://www.facebook.com/simon.severino https://x.com/simonseverino https://www.strategysprints.com/ Connect with Kerry Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/