Traction Heroes Delusion
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Feb 8, 2026 A lively chat about avoiding self-deception to see reality more clearly. They explore why rigid plans fail in unpredictable environments and the gaps between plans, actions, and outcomes. They discuss using adaptable principles, the value of contrarian inputs, and treating feedback as a tool to confront what you pretend not to know.
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Gaps Between Plans, Actions, Outcomes
- Strategy execution breaks down in unpredictable environments because plans can't perfectly map to outcomes.
- Stephen Bungay's model highlights three gaps: knowledge, alignment, and effects that leaders must bridge creatively.
Micromanagement Deepens Strategic Gaps
- Leaders instinctively seek more data, tighter instructions, and stricter controls when things go wrong.
- Those natural reactions actually worsen the gaps between plans, actions, and outcomes.
Delusion As An Axis Of Leadership
- Delusion is an axis describing how honestly you read the world and your control over it.
- Accurate observation and rapid orientation, as in Boyd's OODA loop, are crucial to avoid self-deception.
