Many leaders think they’re pretty good at strategic thinking.

Then they get into a groove with strategic planning, putting all those good ideas into practice.

It’s strategic doing that brings them undone.

Strategic Doing Starts With Not Doing

There’s an enormous list of things you should be doing:

Meditating

Practicing gratitude

Exercising

Drinking green juice

Setting intentions

Foam rolling

Having meaningful conversations with your spouse.

That takes a lot of time!

Yet, there are equally important things you should not be doing:

Micromanaging

Playing the rescuer by doing someone else’s job

Hoarding work and not delegating

Losing time to social media’s dopamine loops

Focusing on tasks that don’t support your strategic objectives.

Where are you burning valuable time and energy not working on what’s important?

Key Principles to Get More Strategic with Your Doing

Is this task moving you closer to your vision?
Leaders often get caught up in tasks that seem important in the moment but don't really push the needle forward. Every task should be evaluated based on its contribution to your long-term strategic vision. Ask yourself: Is this taking me closer to the leader I want to be and the results I want to achieve?

Rituals vs. Habits: What’s your intention?
Habits are automatic, often unconscious behaviours, while rituals are intentional, purposeful acts. Successful leaders have more rituals than habits, and these rituals support their identity and goals. Shift your daily practices from mindless habits to mindful rituals aligned with your strategic vision.

Saying Yes Means Saying No to Everything Else
Every time you say yes to a new task or commitment, you're automatically saying no to something else—usually your time and focus. Be mindful about what you agree to, and remember that strategic leaders know the power of selective 'yeses.' By saying no more often, you create space for activities that truly align with your goals.

Master the Art of Deletion
One of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit is the ability to remove unnecessary tasks, distractions, and even projects. Being ruthless about what you eliminate is crucial to staying on track. A key superpower in leadership is prioritising tasks that actually move the needle and deleting the rest.

Fail Better: Learn and Iterate
Sometimes we don’t take action because we are afraid to fail. Drawing on Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety, successful leaders create environments where their teams can openly admit mistakes, learn from them, and move forward with stronger, more informed strategies.

Failing better means treating each setback as an opportunity for growth. It’s not just about fixing errors, but about reflecting, experimenting, and iterating for continuous improvement. Leaders who foster a culture where it’s safe to fail encourage innovation, deeper engagement, and a more resilient organisation.

Great failures come from good experiments.

Learn how to design great workplace experiments at the Leadership Conclave on 8 November.

Guiding Questions for Strategic Doing

Is this task aligned with my vision or am I just checking a box?

Am I acting out of habit or intention?

What am I willing to let go of to focus on what truly matters?

How can I use this failure to strengthen future outcomes?

Live with grace, lead in service.

Zoë

P.S. Want more insights on the Future of Leadership?

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Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to explore what's coming and what it means for leadership of the future.

Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run 6 marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.