The strategy tool every leader ignores (but shouldn't)

Hey Full Potential Zoners,

Good plans don’t live in slides— they live in your next decision.

Because when the real work starts— most plans disappear.

First, please check out this free webinar I am doing: 👇

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“Leading Like an Operator” on July 23 @ 1pm ET / 10am PT

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It’s not about the perfect plan— it’s about a plan you’ll actually use.

Your strategy matters only if you live it.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:

‘Strategic Planning Grid - A Clear Path to Smarter Decisions'. 

Let’s dive in!

How to Actually Use the Strategic Planning Grid

1. You're Launching a New Product... and Everyone’s Overwhelmed

Scenario: You’re a team lead, and the product team is confused, marketing is waiting, and deadlines are flying past.

• Start at the core (Strategic Thinking):

  • Schedule a short “reset” meeting.

  • Say: “Let’s pause. Before we throw more resources at this, what patterns are we seeing in user feedback? What data tells us we’re building the right thing?”

• Use Execution Tactics:

  • Create one shared doc called “What We Know Now.”

  • Fill it with what’s working, what isn’t, and one idea to test this week.

  • “Let’s test this flow with 10 users before we move forward.”

• Apply Execution & Adaptation:

  • Say: “I’m removing these blockers today — what are 2 things we can cut or simplify?”

• Every product launch should have a 2-week “Adapt & Review” loop baked in before go-live.

• This makes adjusting normal — not a sign of failure.

2. You’re a Manager… and Your Team Keeps Missing Targets

Scenario: Everyone’s busy, but the results are still off. No one’s quite sure why.

• Start with Goal Setting & Tracking:

  • Ask in your next 1-on-1: “Can you tell me in one sentence what your #1 goal is this week?”

  • If they can’t — neither of you are clear enough.

• Use Strategic Execution:

  • Quietly observe team meetings.

  • If no one’s aligning actions to top priorities, say: “Let’s group everything under these 3 buckets. Anything outside of that can wait.”

• Apply Leadership Mindset:

  • Admit what’s unclear.

  • “I realized I haven’t made our end goal simple enough. Here’s the new version — let me know if it finally clicks.”

• Clarity spreads when it’s modeled.

• Confused teams usually have leaders who think they’re being clear… but aren’t.

3. You're a Solo Creator or Freelancer… and You’re Stuck on What to Do Next

Scenario: You're doing everything yourself. Your plans keep changing. You feel like you’re running in circles.

• Use Decision-Making Frameworks:

  • Write out this 3-step loop weekly:

    1. What am I trying?

    2. What’s working?

    3. What will I adjust this week?

• Apply Execution Tactics:

  • Don’t “plan more” — run a test.

  • “I’m going to offer this $29 download to 10 people. If I get zero interest, I’ll scrap it. If I get one yes, I’ll improve it.”

• Use Strategic Execution:

  • Say out loud: “This week, I’m focused on learning — not perfection. The goal is a decision, not a masterpiece.”

• Make the invisible visible.

• Turn “thoughts” into sticky notes, Trello cards, or whiteboards.

• Planning needs to live where you can see it.

🧩 The easiest way to know what people will pay for

Most people guess what to sell.
That’s why they overthink, overbuild, and never launch.

Here’s the shortcut: follow the friction.

Look at where people keep getting stuck.

• What questions do you hear again and again?

• What mistake do you see them making on repeat?

• What’s the thing you wish you could just fix once for everyone?

That’s the gap.
And the gap is where the value is.

Here’s how to test it today

1. Write down the last 3 questions someone asked you for help.

2. Circle the one that’s the easiest to answer in under 10 minutes.

3. Ask yourself: Would this save them time, stress, or money?

If yes, you’ve found a simple offer people would pay for.
It doesn’t have to be huge—just clear.

🔹 Build Your First Offer Here

Want to go deeper?

📖 Don’t Quit Yet: Start Earning Online While You’re Still Employed
📖 Why Most Creators Burn Out Before They Make Money (And What to Do About It)

Here's how you can make it real today:

Step 1: Name Your Lesson

• Pick one lesson from the Strategic Planning Grid that you want to act on. Not think about — act on.

• In one short line, write what you're working on today.

  • “Today, I want to get better at ____.”

• Examples:

  • Making priorities clearer

  • Testing one small idea

  • Asking the team what’s unclear

  • Removing one blocker

Step 2: Spot Your Window

• Look at your day.

  • Where could this lesson actually show up?

• Examples:

  • A team check-in

  • A solo planning session

  • A reply to someone’s feedback

  • A moment when things start to feel messy

• Write down the moment you're going to try it.

  • “I'll use it when ______ happens.”

Step 3: Make One Move

• Pick your one small action. Keep it simple.

• Examples:

  • Ask: “What’s getting in the way right now?”

  • Say: “Let’s keep this tied to the main goal.”

  • Decide: “This task isn’t worth doing — I’m cutting it.”

  • Write: One sentence that turns a vague idea into a real step

• This is your only job today:

  • Do one clear thing that matches your lesson.

Step 4: Write What You Saw

• After the moment, answer this in one sentence:

  • “When I tried that, here’s what happened: ____.”

• That’s it. No deep reflection. Just one real sentence.

AI Prompt: “Act as a strategic thinking coach. Help me turn a lesson from the Strategic Planning Grid into one real action I can take today at work.

Here’s what I’m working on:
Lesson I chose: [Insert lesson, e.g., “Make priorities clearer” or “Remove blockers”]

Provide:

• A short description of what this lesson means in plain language

• One real-life example of how someone could apply it during a normal workday

• Three simple actions I could try today based on this lesson

• A one-sentence phrase I can use or say to take action during the moment

• One tip for noticing if the action made a real difference

Use clear language. Keep it simple. Make sure it fits into a regular workday with meetings, messages, and tasks.”

Smarter decisions don’t come from being right — they come from being steady.

The best leaders don’t guess less — they plan better.

You’re already making decisions every day — the question is whether you’re doing it with intention.

Every missed goal is a clue, not a failure.

No one needs 100 steps. They need one step that makes sense.

Until next time and with lots of love,

Justin

This Week’s Growth Recommendations

Book To Read:  

“Blue Ocean Strategy” by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne (see it here)

TED Talk to Watch:

“3 Ways to Make Better Decisions — by Thinking Like a Computer" by Tom Griffiths (see it here)

Guide to Download:

“Create Once. Earn Forever.” My personal step-by-step plan on how I earn money as a creator and how you can too (see it here)

Yes, it’s happening — a free 30-day offer challenge where I walk you through how to build, launch, and sell something real.

It could be a course. A digital product. A membership. Whatever you want to offer.

You’ll build it.
You’ll sell it.
You’ll earn from it.

We start together—live, hands-on, no fluff.

You’ll get 30 days of direct support from me, with clear steps the whole way.

Click here to learn more

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