The Journey: closing the retreat–action gap

Part 3 of 3 in the series: The Compass, The Map, and The Journey for companies.

Many of us have had the pleasure of participating in a strategic retreat. It’s fun, creative, energizing. The flipcharts are full, the vision board looks amazing, and people return home motivated.

But a few months later… nothing has really changed. Old patterns take over again, and the daily hustle leaves little space for active strategic alignment. The initial excitement fades, and “overwhelmedness” returns.

Then, a year or two later, the cycle repeats. Another strategic retreat takes place, probably disconnected from the first one. Everything starts from scratch.

I call this the Retreat–Action Gap: the space where great ideas are born, and then die because execution hardly follows through.

And you are not alone. 60% - 90% of strategies fail to be implemented. And it’s not just weak or unclear strategies that fall into this trap. Even the good ones.

Why even good strategies fail

Remember: a good strategic framework is clear and simple. It combines a Compass (values, purpose, domains) with a Map (ambitious long-term vision and clear short-term goals). Most importantly, these must live in a visible, simple internal document that guides daily work, not in a dusty deck on a server.

That’s the theory. In practice, most strategies don’t fail because of a missing vision, but in the Journey: the translation into daily behavior and culture.

Three recurring patterns explain why:

• Complexity and disappearing clarity. Strategies often get buried under dozens of slides and jargon. Instead of being lived, they disappear.

• Lack of accountability and structure. Without clear ownership, predictable cycles, and progress reviews, goals drift. In some cultures, accountability even becomes fear-driven, focused on who is right rather than what is right.

• Cultural resistance. Transparency and focus can feel uncomfortable. When accountability is misunderstood as something negative, change stalls before it begins.

  
  

How to close the retreat-action gap

The good news: each of these problems has a counterforce.

Simplicity counters complexity and disappearing clarity. The Compass and Map are broken down into their essentials. A one-pager that everyone can actually use. Goals are crystal clear, leaving no room for interpretation.

Integrity (or true accountability) replaces the lack of structure and the “BS culture.” With predictable rhythms (clear meeting and progress cadences, visible KPIs, honest reviews) accountability becomes constructive. If a goal isn’t met, the question isn’t who failed but what happened, what did we learn, and what’s next?

Growth addresses cultural resistance. Growth is not just about numbers; it’s about learning. Teams that live their values and purpose recognize that what is right matters more than who is right. Those who embrace transparency get stronger. Those who resist may not be the right fit, no matter their skills.

The goal: switching from reaction to action mode long-term.

The cultural shift: The Journey as a loop

The Compass gives direction.The Map provides clarity.The Journey is where real growth happens. When teams feel the excitement of working toward something simple, transparent, and achievable.

Closing the Retreat–Action Gap is about creating momentum that lasts Monday to Monday, quarter to quarter, offsite to offsite. At the next offsite, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re reflecting on the past 12 or 24 months, adjusting your framework where needed, and planning for the future.

That’s how you break the cycle. With simplicity, integrity, and growth.

Thank you for reading along this blog series!

This post closes the three-part series: The Compass, The Map, and The Journey. Together, they outline a simple but powerful approach to alignment, strategy, and execution.

Does your company struggle with alignment, clarity, or execution? I’ve created a 10-minute company assessment covering all three parts of the framework. It gives you a quick read on where your team is strong and where you may be facing gaps.

If you have any questions or input, please reach out!