Discover why traditional metaphors of leadership and execution may be holding your organization back. Roger Martin explores how rethinking choice at every level can transform engagement, decision-making, and results, offering a fresh perspective on leading and executing strategy effectively.

Understanding leadership metaphors
In this video, Roger Martin challenges the traditional view of strategy as top-down formulation followed by execution. Using compelling metaphors, he shows how the way we conceptualize organizational roles shapes behavior and outcomes. Misleading metaphors can lead to disengagement, poor decision-making, and flawed execution, even when strategies are sound.

The power of choice
Martin introduces a choice-based model where every individual in an organization, from frontline employees to CEOs, is a decision-maker. Using examples like Four Seasons Hotels, he demonstrates how empowering employees to make critical choices in real time leads to exceptional service, stronger engagement, and superior results.

Transforming execution and leadership
By replacing outdated metaphors, organizations can foster a seamless cascade of choices, improve execution, and elevate overall performance. Leadership becomes about mentorship, guidance, and accountability rather than control. This approach offers practical insights for anyone seeking to improve strategy implementation and organizational effectiveness.