263. Short Range Strategy

66 snips

Mar 3, 2026

They unpack why planning horizons have shrunk and how technology and constant connectivity speed innovation. They argue for treating strategy as intentional short sprints rather than panic-driven churn. They highlight using near-term 'base camps' and strong organizational health to stay steady amid rapid change.

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INSIGHT

Short Range Strategy Is The New Normal

Strategic planning horizons have compressed from years to months and should be treated intentionally.
Patrick Lencioni argues three to six month plans are now responsible planning, not constant fire drills, because change cycles accelerated.

ANECDOTE

From Ten Year Plans To Six Month Horizons

Patrick Lencioni recounts how planning horizons shortened: from 10-year plans to today's six to twelve months.
He describes his consulting work timeline shift from decade planning down to frequently six-month horizons.

INSIGHT

Technology Shrunk The Useful Planning Window

Rapid technological and social change makes long-term certainty rare, shrinking useful planning windows.
Patrick Lencioni notes companies that once made five- or ten-year bets now often can't predict their business two years ahead.

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How can strategy stay intentional when planning cycles keep shrinking?

In episode 263 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson examine how the pace of change has transformed strategic planning. What once centered on five or ten-year plans now often lives within a three to six-month horizon.

Rather than viewing this shift as chaotic, Patrick and Cody explain why a short-cycle strategy can be more responsible and effective. They explore how clarity of purpose and strong organizational health provide the stability needed to navigate constant change.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:03:57) Why Planning Horizons Have Shrunk

Technology and the rapid flow of information have dramatically accelerated the pace of change.

Businesses and industries now evolve so quickly that long-term certainty is nearly impossible.

(00:07:24) Planning Without Panic

A short-term strategy should not be confused with constant urgency or chaos.

Leaders can use sprint-based planning and frequent reassessment to stay intentional and focused.

(00:11:13) Values Replace Long-Term Predictions

Clear purpose and behavioral values now anchor organizations more than long-range forecasts.

Teams should focus on reaching the next base camp rather than mapping the entire journey.

(00:14:08) Organizational Health Creates Resilience

Strong culture and clarity provide stability when strategies must change quickly.

Healthy organizations can survive rapid shifts while competitors without strong foundations struggle.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.