How to NOT Execute Your Strategy (and what to do about it)

Most leaders say people resist change. That’s wrong. What people resist is confusion, broken execution, and strategies that were never ready to be launched.If execution is clear, resourced, and disciplined, engagement is not something you have to manage. It becomes the natural outcome.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:Why resistance is a symptom, not the problemWhere execution actually breaks down before change is announcedHow clarity and empowerment eliminate the need to “sell” changeWhy leaders—not HR—own engagementSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

Are you being gaslighted at work?Most “change management” programs are fixing the wrong problem.Leaders don’t have a change problem - they have an execution problem. And it’s not the team’s responsibility to fix that.Because when execution works… change is just something we do.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:The three questions every leader must answer before announcing change.How to create clarity fast.How to radically drive empowerment into your execution.Subscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

Will your strategy fail?Most strategies don’t fail in the boardroom. They fail in the handoff.Not because the strategy was flawed - but because the risks after the strategy launches are ignored. They show up in missed goals, confused teams, and wasted momentum.The good news? They’re all avoidable - if we’re willing to lead differently.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:The 4 biggest risks that quietly sabotage execution - and how to beat them.Plus: real-world best practice examples from Salesforce, Amazon, Microsoft, and Ford.Subscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

Feeling the pressure… but not making progress?You’re not alone.Everywhere I go, leaders are stuck in the same pattern:Budgets are tighter Decision-making is slowerEmpowerment is shrinkingAnd yet… the expectations haven’t changed. You’re still supposed to deliver. Still supposed to lead. Still supposed to make it work. So here’s the real question: What if the problem isn’t what you don’t have… But what you’re not doing with what you’ve got?In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:The silent trap even senior leaders are falling intoWhy most teams feel stuck (and don’t even realize it)Three strategic actions that will get you moving againSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

Are you good... or GREAT?Most leaders hit a ceiling - not because they lack ambition, but because they ignore what actually drives execution.Watch this breakdown of what separates good leaders from great ones - especially when pressure hits. And see if YOU are great.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:What great leaders do before execution startsWhy most leaders mishandle disruption—and how to fix itHow to stop stress from sabotaging your decisionsSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

Most corporate training is a WASTE.Not because employees are unwilling to learn… But because leaders are solving the wrong problem.The real issue? Execution is broken. And training can’t fix that. Here’s the good news: There is a better way.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:The 5 real reasons execution breaks downHow to diagnose the right problem before launching trainingWhat effective, execution-driven learning actually looks likeSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

Grinding isn’t just unsustainable - it’s ineffective. And it’s killing real performance.Most leaders I know feel stuck in the grind. But few know how to escape it.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:Why hustle culture is slowing you downWhat the science of flow teaches us about real performanceHow clarity and simplicity unlock momentumWhat elite performers do differently to sustain resultsSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

AI is rewriting the rules for leadership - and we honestly aren’t prepared for it.From CEOs overhauling their operating models to AI outperforming entire functions, this isn’t just a tech trend - it’s a leadership reckoning.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:Why “change management” isn’t enough- disruption is the new normWhy ethics - not logic - must guide your decision-makingHow knowledge is being commoditized - and what to replace it withWhat the real performance differentiator will be in the AI eraSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

AI isn’t coming. It’s already here. And if you’re not engaging it aggressively, you’re falling behind.From CEOs restructuring entire operating models to AI replacing entire job categories, this isn’t just a tech shift. It’s a leadership reckoning.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Author and Fortune 500 consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on:What Fortune 500 companies are actually doing with AI right nowWhy AI is 100% eliminating - not just changing - jobsThe rise of the “SuperWorker” and how roles are being redefined3 massive obstacles that will kill any AI strategy if left unresolved The real leadership challenge behind the AI revolutionSubscribe for more insight on high-performance leadership, strategy execution, and navigating disruption with clarity.Everything looks great on paper… until people get involved.Bonus: Check out my book, The Zen of Strategic Execution (an Amazon best Seller), at timohai.com/zen now.

What do you do when the plan falls apart?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy,” the legendary author and executive advisor, Brent Adamson (ever heard of The Challenger Sale or The Challenger Customer?), unpacks a truth most leaders avoid: True leadership isn’t about having the perfect plan. It’s about who we become when the plan shatters.This conversation gets real about fear, decision-making, and how confidence separates great leaders from the rest.You’ll hear stories, personal lessons, and a fresh take on what it really means to lead through uncertainty. Buckle up – it’s a wild ride…Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-respond-when-things-go-wrongBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Are your negotiations undermining your strategy? Learn how to reverse the damage with a negotiation guru.In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, billion-dollar negotiator and executive consultant, Steve Thompson, shares a special insight into one of the biggest threats to EVERY business strategy – the deals that people make (both buying and selling). Steve pulls back the curtain on why so many leaders unknowingly sabotage their own strategies – and what it takes to execute with clarity, consistency, and confidence. Get ready – this conversation is going to challenge how you think about execution.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/the-poison-in-your-dealsBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

You’re leading… but are you asking the wrong questions?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, author and master consultant, Dave Brock, discusses how leadership strategies often become outdated due to complacency and being “successful enough.” Companies must challenge their success and innovate proactively, as complacency is guaranteed to generate fear-based cultures and missed growth opportunities. Sustained growth demands constant curiosity, even when results look good.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/is-success-killing-your-businessBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Is your sales strategy going to fail this year?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, legendary sales enablement expert, Sheevaun Thatcher, reveals the three biggest mistakes that leaders make when trying to turn a sales strategy into actual business growth. Listen in on her candid insights about why product-driven thinking and fear-based accountability crush sales execution – and learn what customer-centric leadership actually looks like. If you’re ready to shift your sales approach from wishful thinking to proven results, this episode is for you.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/why-your-sales-strategy-is-failingBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Are you dealing with fake leaders?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, business leader, author, and award-winning podcaster, Larry Levine, shares the essential secrets to success that he has learned from his work with CEOs and other executives. If you follow either the “Selling from the Heart” or “Culture From the Heart” podcasts, you know that Larry will never hold back from straight talk. Strap in and get ready to talk about what doesn’t get talked about enough.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-fix-fake-leadershipBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Do you have both the authority AND accountability to succeed?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, Josh Andrews, former Head of Data and Analytics at Qvest, gets real about the dysfunctions leaders both fight against – and create. From executive power struggles to ego clashes, Josh and Tim break down why so many teams get stuck and, more importantly, how to fix it.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/the-accountability-gap-exposedBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Have you ever worked for a leader whose personality went from great to toxic?In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach and consultant Tim Ohai shares his insights on the key triggers that cause good leaders to become bad.Contact Tim directly at https://calendly.com/kupusolutions-tim/1-1-meetingBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Have you been taught the wrong way to build a high-performing team?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, Ilias Simpson, president of Cart.com, we dove into not just the challenges he faced with a major strategy, but the unconventional best practices he discovered for building a high-performing team. Whether you’re steering a small business or leading at a Fortune 500 company, these insights are designed to transform your approach and propel your team to new heights.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-teamBonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.

How do you avoid the fear trap when your strategy is literally destroyed just as it launches?In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, successful CEO, author, and podcast host, Damon Lembi, shares how a major strategic failure was transformed into a massive win. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, Damon and his team embraced the chaos as an opportunity – using the principles we talk about in this powerful interview.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-push-fear-away-from-your-strategyBonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

Are you prepared to fail? If not, you will never be able to fix a broken strategy in time.In this episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, highly successful Fortune Global 500 executive and now executive consultant, Jim McCormick, humbly shares how he generated massive amounts of waste by not being prepared to fail. Jim shares the critical lessons he learned and the common blind spots that most leaders have when it comes to executing their strategies.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/are-your-prepared-to-fail/Bonus: Check out my new book (an Amazon best Seller) at timohai.com/zen now.

The analytics have been run and THESE are the most popular insights from 2 seasons of executive interviews.Which one do YOU need to hear right now?Contact Tim directly at https://calendly.com/kupusolutions-tim/1-1-meetingBonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/bOY05KeZcB8Learn more at timohai.com

Prioritization is the Achilles’ heel of strategy, but too many leaders suck at selecting the right priorities. If you have ever felt the pressure that “EVERYTHING is a priority,” this episode is for you.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach and consultant Tim Ohai shares one of his tested best practices that gets high performance out of every strategy.Contact Tim directly at https://calendly.com/kupusolutions-tim/1-1-meetingBonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/AiQH7tDaRh8Learn more at timohai.com

Should you quit or should you stay? It’s a question on everyone’s mind.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach and consultant Tim Ohai shares 5 questions that reveal if your company deserves your energy.Contact Tim directly at https://calendly.com/kupusolutions-tim/1-1-meetingBonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/LmYQpuM9DtsLearn more at timohai.com

The idea of having an AI coach is gaining popularity - but is it really a smart idea to trust AI as your coach?In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach and consultant Tim Ohai shares 3 tests you MUST use before you trust an AI coach.Contact Tim directly at https://calendly.com/kupusolutions-tim/1-1-meetingBonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/CVXujq18hCwLearn more at timohai.com

This one thing will wreck your business from the inside out - every time.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach Tim Ohai breaks down one of the biggest mistakes Walmart EVER made and how business leaders can see if they have the same leadership cancer.Bonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/8XVsmWQbFo0Learn more at timohai.com

Culture gets WAY TOO MUCH emphasis these days. In fact, fixing culture is the WRONG thing to do.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach Tim Ohai shares three quick tests to determine what your culture REALLY is - and what to do about it.Bonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/hM8ksILm3rsLearn more at timohai.com

The signs of weak leadership are really common, but RARELY discussed because everyone is looking for different signs.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach Tim Ohai shares his insights on how to identify if you have weak leadership - and if you are guilty of the same mistakes.Bonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/sOkF89sNibgLearn more at timohai.com

“I am willing to bet that none of your executive leaders were taught how to execute the business strategy.”They learned through trial and error, mistake by mistake, and blunt force experience. And now, they expect you to learn it the same way.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Fortune 500 executive coach Tim Ohai covers how this massive leadership blindspot affects everyone on your team AND he gives you 2 questions that you can use RIGHT NOW to stop the chaos.Bonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/7q7NcoaQ_SoLearn more at timohai.com

The global workplace data from Gallup is in… and it’s not good. Workplace engagement continues to drop out of control. 67% of North American workers are disengaged/actively disengaged. In Europe, that number surges to 88%!Why is this so? Because of these 2 serious mistakes that leaders make over and over again.But it doesn’t need to be this way.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Tim shares his thoughts on the Gallup data and then shares the 4 best practices that turn everything around and get the team (and engagement) to THRIVE.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/kMgOynqFaeILearn more at timohai.com

The secret to being a great leader is not simply about emotional intelligence and being a servant. Yes, those things matter, but many leaders struggle as they move into higher levels of authority because they lack one critical skill.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Tim shares the secret to being a great leader AND the 3 implications for your organization if this skill is not where it needs to be.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/JCL3VcJ0beULearn more at timohai.com

Is it possible to eliminate stress in your life?What is commonly being taught about managing stress simply doesn’t work.In this special episode pulled from his YouTube channel, Tim discovered a radical new approach to eliminating stress. Hear the best practice method that he uses with his executive clients to get their stress under control and ultimately eliminated.Watch the original video: https://youtu.be/FgBAeikgRwILearn more at timohai.com

Do your leaders struggle to execute strategy?In this brand new episode of “How to NOT Execute Your Strategy”, acclaimed executive, author, and speaker Peter Lynch shares how he failed miserably to get leaders to buy into his strategy and how he used his feet to get things back on track. Peter also dives into the best practices and concepts he uses to consistently develop high-performing team leaders.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/feet-are-more-powerful-than-wordsBonus: Check out the strategic execution masterclass at timohai.com/masterclass now.

How do you get your employees to consistently align – especially across 39 countries?In the latest episode of How to NOT Execute Your Strategy, I interviewed Chris Hall to learn how he got 95% of his entire organization (39 countries) to be aligned around the company strategy. Anyone who has ever been in leadership knows how amazing (and difficult) this is. Chris breaks down the core principles he uses and the ways that makes sure his own leaders have the same approach.Listen to this conversation now. And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/what-happens-if-you-dont-know-change-management #Podcast #Strategy #StrategicThinking #StrategicExecution #Leadership #ChangeManagement

What does it take to be a leader no matter where you are in the world?In the latest episode of How to NOT Execute Your Strategy, I interviewed Giles Watkins to learn his best practices for navigating the complexities of international cultures while getting a key strategy to deliver results. He had great insights, but our conversation eventually turned to a problem that afflicts many - losing the ability to sleep. Giles breaks down what he had to do in order to be the leader he needed to be.Listen to this conversation now.And you can find the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-sleep-literally-affects-every-decision-you-make #Podcast #Strategy #StrategicThinking #StrategicExecution #Leadership #Sleep

Dr. Emilio Herrera is the Chief Health Officer of Keralty, a leading multi-national health group that supports everything from health care provider education to local health clinics. Emilio has been integral to the creation and execution of their Comprehensive Health Model strategy that impacts the lives of literally millions of people. In this episode, Emilio shares the lessons he has learned about how to get your people to accept the change that the strategy demands - and what happens when they do not.Get the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-get-your-people-to-accept-change

Craig Humphreys is literally the most interesting person that Tim knows in the world. While he is currently the CEO of TransPac Systems and the co-founder and COO of Stygian HC, he is also:A former analyst for the CIA, earning a presidential citation for his efforts to end the Cold WarFormer member of the SETI team, searching for intelligent life in the universeOne of the early pioneers of CGI in cinemaFormer CTO of HEBA legend in IT consulting, which has led him to support everything from data security at the Super Bowl to helping architect Facebook’s platform when it evolved from college site to social media phenomenonA black belt in three forms of martial arts… and a scratch golferIn this episode, Craig shares the lessons he has learned about how over-shadowing the efforts of your team leads to stagnation – and the changes needed to reverse everything and generate massive breakthroughs.Get the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s2e4-craig-humphreys

Dr. Towanna Burrous is the founder and president of the CoachDiversity Institute, an executive coaching and development firm that teaches leaders how to master the power of differences. Under Towanna’s leadership, CDI has exploded in growth – reaching the Fortune 5000’s fastest growing companies list in 2021. In this episode, Towanna shares the lessons she has learned about how information flow can make the difference between high performing teams and teams that generate waste.Get the show notes and leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s2e3-towanna-burrous

Tom Pisello is a marketing guru, author, and serial entrepreneur, having launched and sold two successful businesses. He has just started his third business, Genius Drive, where he and his team help companies develop and successfully transform their value story into powerful customer engagements. In this episode, we dive into how Tom’s own visionary leadership wrecked the execution of a great idea – and what he learned from that experience.Get the leader guide here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s2e2-tom-pisello

Tim Ohai is the Founder and Sr. Principal of Kupu Solutions. In this episode, he shares how to diagnose where your execution is breaking down and his best practices to immediately get it back on track.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s2e1-tim-ohai/

This is a short bonus episode where I briefly explain the "why" behind this podcast.

Daniel Todd is the Founder and CEO of Influence Mobile. In this episode, we explore how culture can either be the chokehold or the bedrock of your execution.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e7-daniel-todd/

Dane Groeneveld is the Group CEO and Founding Partner of the Huddl3 Group. In this episode, we dive into how overly optimistic thinking creates stress and disruption.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e6-dane-groeneveld/

Lisa Love is the Co-founder and Co-CEO of Tanoshi. In this episode, we dive into the constant stress of being a startup and what it takes to adjust your execution to navigate it all.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e5-lisa-love/

George Brontén is the Founder and CEO of Membrain. In this episode, we explore how your strategy will fail if you don’t understand your entire value chain.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e4-george-bronten/

JD Stewart is the Co-founder and CEO of Stygian HC. In this episode, we explore how to transform a crumbling strategy into a highly successful pivot.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e3-jd-stewart/

Martyn Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Market Partners. In this episode, we explore how failure is an absolute essential for successful execution.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e2-martyn-lewis/

Elaine Gravatte is the President of the Sense Colour business globally for Givaudan. In this episode, we dive into a failed business launch and how to make sure that your execution harnesses change management.Get the leader guide for this episode here: https://timohai.com/how-to-not-execute-your-strategy-s1e1-elaine-gravatte/