Edward Morrison - Strategic Doing: Ten Skills for Agile Leadership

1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 6
3. Chapter 12

Over my 50year career as a transformational change facilitator, I've witnessed the acceleration of the speed and complexity of organizational adaptation. This book is the best consolidation and codification of best practices for [a different approach to strategic planning and implementation] that I've seen. [The authors] make the Strategic Doing methodology clear and provide a manageable roadmap that makes the methodology easy to applyjust in time to address the largest speed and complexity challenges mankind has known.

Bob Sadler, CEO of Sadler Consulting, executive coach and authority on change leadership and executive presence

Don't even bother reading all those other books on leadership and strategy. I know because I've written a number of them. Strategic Doing is THE source to understand how leadership and strategy are changing in this age of speed and complexity. What makes this book more important are the ten practical skills that you and your colleagues can learn to become masterful at leading in a disruptive age.

Jay Conger, chaired professor of Leadership Studies at Claremont McKenna College and author of The High Potentials Advantage

Over the past 30 years, I have been traveling the world for 60 Minutes. One trend is clear. The challenges we face are growing in complexity. The best way to address these challenges is through human ingenuity unleashed through collaboration. This book illuminates that path. Recommended.

Bob Anderson, producer, 60 Minutes (CBS)

After 12 years in public office, working on the complex, systemic, and interwoven challenges of poverty, crime, health disparity, and economic development, I can say that our nation desperately needs the guidance provided by Strategic Doing. At a time of global change and national strife, the lessons in this book not only provide a path for multiorganizational success, they represent a practical, nonpartisan formula to preserve our American democracy.

Lawrence Morrissey, mayor, Rockford, Illinois 20052017

Ed Morrison has mastered the art of making progress happen in a complex, changeresistant world. Now he and his colleagues have assembled decades of hardwon lessons into an easytoassimilate book which is great news for every enemy of chaos, confusion, and inertia.

John D. Donahue, faculty chair of Harvard's Masters in Public Policy program and author of Collaborative Governance

If you want to do something to make your community better but worry, I'll need a grant' or I'll need a powerful board of advisors,' stop worrying and start doing! Strategic Doing requires no money, no powerful CEOs, and no one's permission. It's a simpletounderstand process that any group can use to take the resources they have and launch innovative and impactful projects. I use it with my clients and am consistently blown away by what people like you and me can do with Strategic Doing.

Rebecca Ryan, futurist, economist, and author of Regeneration: A Manifesto for America's Next Leaders

When our foundation was looking for a tool to offer to the rural communities we serve, Strategic Doing emerged as the right vehicle. The agility of the process enables a group of 5 or a group of 50 to bring forth an idea, divide the workload, determine the feasibility, and when appropriate, foster the implementation. Our communities have been encouraged by increased participation in civic activity from a broad spectrum of ages.

Betsy Wearing, coordinator of Communications, Programs, and New Initiatives, Dane G. Hansen Foundation

An important evolution is taking place among US landgrant universities.The learning, discovery, and engagement taking place on our campuses today is now pointing us to new approaches to the economic challenges facing society. This valuable book builds on that tradition through the new discipline of Strategic Doing to achieve higher and more productive levels of collaboration.Anyone interested in solving such problems more effectively, faster, and more collaboratively will find this book a welcome treasure.

Martin Jischke, former president, Purdue University

This is a book about Strategic Doing. It not only consolidates years of real experience but is also written in a style that is fully consistent with the title: action focused.Because of the integration of the broad base of experience with the science of ecology, cybernetics, and complexity, this book shows a depth beyond expectation, considering how handson and practical this proven approach is.

Peter Robertson, executive lecturer and research fellow, Nyenrode Business University (The Netherlands)

Applying deep underpinnings in social science research, Lean/Agile experimentation, and refinement through rigorous practice, the Strategic Doing founders have created a framework to define and execute strategy for our time.This book is for anyone or any organization that wants to tackle a big hairy audacious problem with effective, complex collaboration.

Patricia Sheehan, Agile Transformation lead and coach, AstraZeneca Agile Centre of Excellence

Strategic Doing is the most impressive and effective way to get things done in our community. It allows everyone an opportunity for input and provides clarity of vision, mission, purpose, and tasks upon which we have all agreed. If we continue to work together, there is no limit to our achievements.

Macke Mauldin, president, Bank Independent

As someone who leads a complex organization, I am always looking for new approaches to how I work. Learning to be proactive and truly collaborative is what the Strategic Doing method has taught me. Strategic Doing is not just for the workplace but can easily be applied to all areas of life that involve people coming together for a common goal. These are simple and wellsupported skills that anyone can employ in their work and life to make a tangible difference.

Stephen Jennings, senior vice president, Rady Children's Hospital; executive director, Rady Children's Hospital Foundation

The challenges we face today in our communities, in the economy, and in society as a whole are far too complex to be ameliorated by the same simple approaches to planning and implementation that we've used in the past. This book provides a road map to the future of strategy, and to a better world.

Jim Woodell, former vice president for Economic Development and Community Engagement, Association of Public and LandGrant Universities; convener, Collaborative for Insight and Impact

The convergence of the physical and digital worlds, especially in manufacturing, presents unprecedented opportunity for the creation of transformational value. With all the chess pieces on the table, there are a seemingly unlimited number of opportunities.[L]eaders need the skills and insights presented in this book. Strategic Doing should be required reading for every leader charting a pathway forward.

Don Cooper, vice president, PTC/Global Rockwell Alliance

Strategic Doing is a straightforward vehicle to get to a decision and action, very quickly, with busy people. In an era where diversity and collaboration are critical to success, it can be done quickly and efficiently.It is time tested, and I recommend this book with enthusiasm!

Charles Van Rysselberge, president (retired), Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Charleston (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce