The Strategist

About the Author

Cynthia A. Montgomery is the Timken Professor of Business Administration and immediate former head of the Strategy Unit at Harvard Business School. With over 20 years of experience teaching at Harvard, she has helped numerous business leaders develop strategic insights and leadership skills. Her book, The Strategist: Be the Leader Your Business Needs, distills her extensive knowledge and experience into a guide for leaders looking to integrate strategy deeply into their roles.

Main Idea

The Strategist emphasizes the essential role of leaders as strategists who continually shape and guide their companies through dynamic markets. Montgomery argues that strategy is not a one-time task but an ongoing responsibility that requires continuous leadership and adaptation. She challenges leaders to confront the most critical question: "Does this company truly matter?"

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Part I: Strategy and Leadership
• Part II: Begin with Purpose
• Part III: Turn Purpose into Reality
• Part IV: Keep It Vibrant
• Conclusion

Strategy and Leadership

Montgomery opens the discussion by asking business leaders if they consider themselves strategists. This question sets the stage for exploring the deep connection between leadership and strategy. She highlights the traditional view of strategy as a static plan, contrasting it with her vision of strategy as a dynamic, continuous process that leaders must actively engage with over time.

"Strategy is not just a tool for outwitting the competition; it is the most powerful means a leader has for shaping a company itself." - Cynthia A. Montgomery

She uses the example of Richard Manoogian, CEO of Masco Corp., to illustrate the pitfalls of viewing strategy as a one-time decision. Manoogian's decision to enter the furniture industry, despite the industry's low profitability and high risks, resulted in significant losses for Masco. This case underscores the importance of understanding industry forces and the limitations of even the most skilled managers.

Montgomery stresses that good strategies are never frozen. They are living, breathing frameworks that require continuous leadership to adapt and evolve. A strategist must actively watch over the firm, identify opportunities and threats, and make timely decisions to keep the strategy relevant.