Snackz logo
Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Richard Rumelt

338 Pages
2011

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

The Difference and Why It Matters

Currency

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

⚡ Free 3min Summary

Good Strategy Bad Strategy - Summary

Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt is a compelling exploration of what differentiates effective strategies from ineffective ones. Rumelt argues that many so-called strategies are little more than collections of buzzwords and motivational slogans, lacking the substance needed to drive real progress. He emphasizes the importance of clear, coherent responses to challenges and introduces nine sources of power that can be harnessed to create impactful strategies. Through a series of fascinating examples from various sectors, including business, military, and nonprofit organizations, Rumelt illustrates how good strategies can be developed and implemented.

Key Ideas

1

Clarity and Coherence

A good strategy is marked by its clarity and coherence. It provides a clear diagnosis of the challenge at hand, a guiding policy to address the challenge, and coherent actions to carry out the policy. This structured approach ensures that all efforts are aligned and focused on overcoming the obstacles to progress.

2

Focus on Leverage

Rumelt highlights the importance of leveraging existing strengths and resources to achieve significant results. By identifying and concentrating on areas where the organization can exert the most influence, leaders can maximize their impact and drive meaningful change. This focus on leverage is a key differentiator between good and bad strategies.

3

Avoiding Fluff

One of the central themes of the book is the critique of 'bad strategy,' which often consists of vague goals, buzzwords, and motivational slogans. Rumelt argues that these elements do not constitute a real strategy and can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Instead, he advocates for a disciplined approach that prioritizes substance over style, ensuring that strategies are actionable and grounded in reality.

FAQ's

The main argument of 'Good Strategy Bad Strategy' is that many so-called strategies are ineffective because they are filled with buzzwords and lack substance. Richard Rumelt emphasizes the need for clear, coherent strategies that provide a diagnosis of the challenge, a guiding policy, and coherent actions.

Richard Rumelt defines a good strategy as one that is clear and coherent, focusing on leveraging existing strengths and resources to achieve significant results. A good strategy includes a clear diagnosis of the challenge, a guiding policy to address it, and coherent actions to implement the policy.

According to 'Good Strategy Bad Strategy,' common pitfalls of bad strategies include the use of vague goals, buzzwords, and motivational slogans that do not constitute a real strategy. These elements can lead to confusion and inefficiency, as they lack the substance needed to drive real progress.

💡 Full 15min Summary

Effective strategies confront core issues decisively, while ineffective ones avoid problems and set ambiguous goals.
0:00 / 1:44

The fundamental differences between an effective strategy and an ineffective one are thoroughly discussed. Strategies that are coordinated, focused, and unexpected are commonly fruitful. They directly confront core issues, utilizing strengths against weaknesses. Conversely, ineffective strategies shy away from problem analysis. They set ambiguous goals that often conflict and they try to appeal to a wide variety of interests.

Historical examples spotlight the triumphant execution of these strategies. For instance, during the 90s, Apple was facing a crisis with a declining market share. Steve Jobs tackled the issue by steering the company back to its core strengths and reducing the number of products until the company could regain stability. This move, while unexpected, resulted in huge success. Similarly, in the Gulf War, General Schwarzkopf performed an unexpected left-hook maneuver to topple the Iraqi defenses, as opposed to a costly head-on attack. This ingenious and coordinated plan was likewise successful.

Every successful strategy shares a common logical structure: an accurate diagnosis, a guiding policy, and coherent actions. An ineffective strategy lacks this structure and tends to mask problems and evade difficult decisions. Hopefully, by understanding this difference people will develop the skills to design effective strategies. The key is to concentrate resources on resolving the most significant challenges, rather than attempting to appease varying conflicting interests.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Books

Age as Disease

Age as Disease

Anti-Aging Technologies, Sites and Practices

David-Jack Fletcher

349 Pages
2021
Border as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor

Border as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor

Sandro Mezzadra, Brett Neilson

380 Pages
2013
Sunset

Sunset

--

638 Pages
1926
The Wretched of the Earth

The Wretched of the Earth

Frantz Fanon

328 Pages
2007
Ali Cross

Ali Cross

James Patterson

201 Pages
2019
The Pirate Prince

The Pirate Prince

Gaelen Foley

416 Pages
2006
The Midnight Feast

The Midnight Feast

Lucy Foley

0 Pages
2024
Summer Love

Summer Love

Subina Bhaṭṭarāī

256 Pages
2015
The Human Stain

The Human Stain

Philip Roth

405 Pages
2010
Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary

A Novel

Andy Weir

497 Pages
2021
The Five Love Languages

The Five Love Languages

Gary Chapman

312 Pages
2016
Bright Line Eating

Bright Line Eating

The Science of Living Happy, Thin and Free

Susan Peirce Thompson, PHD

322 Pages
2021
What Matters Now

What Matters Now

How to Win in a World of Relentless Change, Ferocious Competition, and Unstoppable Innovation

Gary Hamel

308 Pages
2012
Starling House

Starling House

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that is the perfect dark Gothic fairytale for autumn!

Alix E. Harrow

392 Pages
2023
Find Your Unicorn Space

Find Your Unicorn Space

Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World

Eve Rodsky

353 Pages
2022
They Called Us Exceptional

They Called Us Exceptional

And Other Lies That Raised Us

Prachi Gupta

289 Pages
2024
The Great Transition

The Great Transition

A Novel

Nick Fuller Googins

352 Pages
2023
Elantris

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

508 Pages
2005
Loose-Leaf for Strategic Management

Loose-Leaf for Strategic Management

Frank T. Rothaermel

576 Pages
2020
Unbroken

Unbroken

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

497 Pages
2010
The Biz

The Biz

The Basic Business, Legal, and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry in a Digital World

Schuyler M. Moore

0 Pages
2018
Cristiano and Leo

Cristiano and Leo

The Race to Become the Greatest Football Player of All Time

Jimmy Burns

0 Pages
2018
Good Omens

Good Omens

The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

434 Pages
2011
Auf Den Spuren Des Götz Von Berlichingen

Auf Den Spuren Des Götz Von Berlichingen

Karl SCHUMM

28 Pages
1968
A Scandal in Bohemia

A Scandal in Bohemia

Seven Sherlock Holmes Stories

Arthur Conan Doyle

88 Pages
1981
Machine Learning For Dummies

Machine Learning For Dummies

John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron

464 Pages
2021
Along Came a Spider

Along Came a Spider

(Alex Cross 1)

James Patterson

454 Pages
2017
The Pleasures of Philosophy

The Pleasures of Philosophy

A Survey of Human Life and Destiny

Will Durant

446 Pages
1967
In Patagonia

In Patagonia

Bruce Chatwin

241 Pages
2003
A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain

A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain

Sara Manning Peskin

218 Pages
2022

Let's find the best book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book
Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

✅ New Release

✅ Book Recommendation

✅ Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2025. All rights reserved.