Strategic Intelligence Club · Session 1

Stop Solving
The Wrong
Problem

We’re discussing Richard Rumelt’s Good Strategy/Bad Strategy to show you how to catch AI handing you a polished answer to the wrong problem, and build a strategy worth spending your time and money on.

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Good Strategy Bad Strategy, presented as a black book on white sculptural terrain with a cobalt route.Session 1Richard Rumelt

Everyone walks around like they are the CEO of McKinsey these days now that they have AI tucked into their pocket.

Which all may sound good on Substack but when you try to actually execute any of it? Not quite what Claude promised.

The problem is that they skipped the proper frameworks and the real strategic THINKING behind what it takes to build “Good Strategy.”

Watch & listen

Lenny’s Podcast

A conversation
with Richard Rumelt.

Lenny Rachitsky and Richard Rumelt discuss the elements of good strategy, the pitfalls of bad strategy, and how to turn a challenge into an action agenda.

Interview by Lenny Rachitsky · January 21, 2024Watch on YouTube ↗

Session 1

Good Strategy/
Bad Strategy

Richard Rumelt

Name the problem your plan is supposed to solve. Then use Rumelt’s kernel to examine how your proposed actions address it.

Member access

Before we meet · 10–15 minutes

Bring one real
business decision.

Choose a business decision you’re currently working through. It could involve an offer, finding clients, improving delivery, or deciding where to spend your time.

Before the session, jot down a few sentences answering these questions.

  1. What are you trying to accomplish?
  2. What do you currently think is getting in the way? What have you observed that makes you think that?
  3. What are you planning to do, and why do you expect it to help?
  4. Which idea from the book made you question or reconsider your approach?

Bring your notes, even if your answers feel incomplete. We’ll use them to develop or revise your strategy kernel during the session.

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