The Strategy Gap

Who’s actually accountable in your strategic plan? If your answer includes more than one name… that might be the root of your execution problems. In this episode of The Strategy Gap, hosts Jonathan Morgan (SVP of Operations at AchieveIt) and Joe Krause (SVP of Strategy Consulting) tackle one of the most misunderstood pillars of execution: accountability.

From the danger of group-think to the power of visibility and recognition, they dig into what really moves teams from idea to impact. With relatable stories (hello, MBA group projects) and practical advice, this episode is packed with insights for anyone tired of watching plans stall due to unclear ownership and disengaged teams.

Why you’ll want to listen:
Learn the “fire drill test” to identify true ownership in your plans
Understand how public progress tracking can boost engagement across the org
Discover low-cost ways to create accountability through recognition
Hear how leaders can tailor accountability structures to different employee types
👉 Hit play and close the gap between strategy and execution. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes!

Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the backbone of strategy execution.

In this episode of The Strategy Gap, hosts Jonathan Morgan (SVP of Operations) and Joe Krause (SVP of Strategy Consulting) dig into why so many organizations say they value collaboration but still fail to practice it. From breaking down silos to running meetings that don’t suck, they share real-world lessons (and hard truths) about what it takes to turn big plans into real progress. With 77% of leaders saying silos hold them back — and 79% of failed initiatives pointing to poor collaboration — this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to get strategy over the finish line.

Whether you're leading a strategy team or sitting in cross-functional meetings wondering why progress stalls, this conversation is full of relatable moments, tactical tips, and a healthy dose of humor. Learn how to structure collaboration so it actually works, without overwhelming your calendar — or your team. 

🎧 Why you’ll want to listen:Learn how to set expectations so planning conversations don’t derail.
Hear how access and awareness are more powerful than more meetings.
Get tips to run productive, high-impact meetings your team won’t dread.
Find out why most plans fail — even when collaboration is “part of the strategy.”

In this episode of The Strategy Gap, we dive into the first pillar of the 2025 State of Strategy Execution Report: Alignment and Leadership. Hosts Jonathan Morgan, SVP of Operations at AchieveIt, and Joe Krause, SVP of Strategy Consulting, break down why so many strategic plans crumble at the top—and what leaders can do to reverse course. From lackluster vision statements to inconsistent communication, this episode challenges leadership teams to reflect on whether they’re truly setting the tone for success.

Whether you're leading a strategy rollout, trying to gain cross-functional alignment, or wondering why your team isn’t rallying behind your vision—this episode is a must-listen. Jonathan and Joe blend years of hands-on consulting experience with data-backed insights from over 250 strategy leaders across industries. 

✅ Why You’ll Want to Listen:
Discover the top 5 reasons strategic plans fail—and how nearly all of them trace back to leadership
Learn how to create a communication strategy that drives long-term engagement (not just a flashy launch)
Find out how “How” and “Why” questions can realign disconnected teams
Hear real-world examples of what strong leadership alignment looks like in action
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and catch the full State of Strategy Execution series as we explore each pillar in upcoming episodes!

Are you actually executing your strategy—or just making plans that collect dust? In this episode of The Strategy Gap, we dive into the key findings from the 2025 State of Strategy Execution report and break down what separates high-performing organizations from the rest. Hosting the conversation are Jonathan Morgan, SVP of Operations at AchieveIt, and Joe Krause, SVP of Strategy Consulting, two of AchieveIt's seasoned strategy experts.

We explore the biggest roadblocks companies face, the role of leadership in execution, and how consistent updates, clear accountability, and the right technology can drive 10X better outcomes. Whether you're leading a team or driving strategy at an executive level, this episode will give you practical, no-nonsense insights to level up your execution game.

Why you’ll want to listen:
The 5 critical factors that determine whether your strategy will succeed or fail
Why measuring activity ≠ measuring success—and how to track real impact
How real-time dashboards make organizations 10X more likely to achieve their goals
The #1 leadership mistake that’s killing strategy execution (and how to fix it)
Find the full 2025 State of Strategy Execution here: https://www.achieveit.com/resources/2025-state-of-strategy-execution/

Key Topics with Timestamps:

00:00 Insights from 2025 Strategy Execution Survey
06:05 Effective Success Metrics and Updates
09:01 Strategic Planning for Leaders
10:24 Process Adherence for Improved Clarity
13:09 The Impact of Losing Corporate Vision
17:41 Transforming Plans into Action
21:02 Impact of Strategic Isolation on Business
24:44 Engaging Future Leaders Effectively
26:59 Governance Guide: Clarifying Plan Engagement
31:06 Real-Time Dashboards Enhance Strategy Performance
33:52 Optimizing Dashboard Utilization
38:40 The Value of Strategic Planning
39:28 Reaffirming Strategic Communication Essentials

How do you transition from commodities trading to leading strategy at a global mental health company?

Mark Muston, Head of Business Operations & Strategy at Modern Health, shares how he made the leap, why hiring for potential matters more than a perfect resume, and how to pitch leadership like a startup founder. If you’re in strategy, operations, or just trying to build a team that actually gets things done—this episode is for you. In this conversation, Mark breaks down what it takes to build cross-functional initiatives, advocate for your team in a cost-center role, and make strategic decisions that drive real impact. Plus, he shares valuable lessons on navigating career transitions and knowing when (and how) to push for change.

🎧 Why you’ll want to listen:
The #1 hiring mistake leaders make—and how to find the best talent beyond the resume.
Why your resume should tell a data-driven story (and how to craft one that stands out).
The “VC mindset” for getting leadership buy-in and securing resources for strategic initiatives.
How to balance small quick wins with big ROI projects in strategy and operations.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 Transitioning from Trading to Business Development
03:46 Journey to Modern Health Leadership
07:04 Aligning Career with Purpose
10:52 Reevaluating Hiring Standards in Healthcare
14:57 Assessing Ambition Through Resume Signals
18:02 Lessons Learned: Trading to Tech Transition
20:32 Prioritizing Business Problem Solving
25:56 Navigating Startup Challenges and Flexibility
26:49 Aligning Projects with Business Priorities
31:29 Manual MVP Testing and Scaling
34:03 Prioritizing Impact Over Busywork

Listen now to The Strategy Gap!