When the CEO Ignores Strategy, So Does Everyone Else
We’d be shocked to hear a writer say they’re too busy to write or an artist too busy to paint. But CEOs too busy for strategy? That’s just business as usual.
CEOs often make two common excuses:
- They’re too caught up in daily operations.
- They think they need to fix internal issues before even thinking about strategy. “Strategy? Let’s first fix the production line — then we’ll talk.”
– The first mistake is apparent.
A leader should only do work their direct reports can’t do. Middle managers and executives can handle daily operations but can’t craft a strategy without the CEO – so strategy is the CEO’s job. And while the CEO should oversee operational work, they must also allocate enough time for strategy.
If a CEO isn’t doing strategy, they are either underqualified – or are afraid of it.
– The second mistake shows a lack of strategic thinking.
Every company has flawed processes and imperfect products. But fixing them makes sense only if you’ll still need them in the future. And you don’t know that without a strategy.
Strategy is a CEO’s primary job, and they can’t delegate or outsource that. When the CEO ignores strategy, so does everyone else.
What’s worse than a negative product review? A positive one!
“The more people had heard others talking about their new product, the more worried and anxious they felt about using it. What’s more, the more worried and anxious they felt, the more cautious they were in using their new product—they read the instructions more and used fewer product features.”
A group of scientists discovered this paradox through a series of studies.
The enthusiasm of some customers makes others feel uneasy. Is the product really that great? What if I end up disappointed? Will I even be able to make the most of it?
It’s great to have some raving fans among your customers, but use their product reviews with caution.
A small victory for Netflix, a major loss for users
Back in 2013, the ego of Netflix’s leadership led to a strategic mistake — they started producing their own shows. House of Cards was the first. The media hailed it as a victory.
It freaked out other content producers, and they launched their own streaming platforms. They feared that Netflix would prioritize its own content. Today, there are at least 10 major platforms.
What did Netflix lose?
It lost the chance to become a “second TV” — or even a “second YouTube.”
As of 2025, Netflix holds just 21% of the U.S. streaming market, making it the second-largest SVOD platform, slightly behind Amazon Prime Video at 22%.
What did users lose?
They lost the dream of a “Spotify for video” or “Apple Music for video.”
Want to watch a movie you like? Get ready to subscribe to 10+ platforms — and even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll find it.
Never let your ego make your strategic decisions instead of your reason.
By the way, the early bird discount for the Uniquation program ends this Sunday — don’t miss it!
Svyatoslav Biryulin
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Visit my website. Check out my book, Red and Yellow Strategies: Flip Your Strategic Thinking and Overcome Short-termism.
The first three chapters of my book Red and Yellow Strategies: Flip Your Strategic Thinking and Overcome Short-termismis now available as a podcast here on Substack. And some chapters are free! Subscribe and listen to them here. I will upload a new chapter every week.