By Jordan Imutan
Creator of STRIDES™ | Strategic Execution Consultant
When Everything Is a Priority, Nothing Gets Done
Have you ever sat in a leadership meeting where the whiteboard was full of “top priorities”?
Ten goals. Fifteen projects. Dozens of KPIs.
Everyone leaves excited… but a month later, nothing has moved.
This isn’t a rare case—it’s the norm in many businesses.
The problem? Too many priorities. Not enough focus.
And it’s hurting your growth more than you think.
The Hidden Cost of Having Too Many Goals
Here’s what happens when a team is juggling too many initiatives:
- Deadlines are missed.
- Resources are spread thin.
- People get burned out or confused.
- Results slow down—or never happen.
According to McKinsey, organizations that focus on a few clear strategic priorities are 2.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. Another study by the Harvard Business Review shows that teams working on fewer initiatives finish 30% more work, 25% faster.
Still, many companies believe that adding more goals means more progress.
In truth, growth comes from focus.
Common Signs Your Company Has Priority Overload
- You have more than 5 strategic initiatives running at the same time.
- No one is sure who owns what.
- Projects are constantly delayed or half-done.
- People work hard, but results don’t reflect the effort.
- Employees feel busy—but not productive.
If you’ve seen even two of these signs, your team is likely overwhelmed.
It’s time to shift—from scattered execution to aligned, focused growth.
The Solution: Prioritize with Purpose
At the core of the STRIDES™ Framework is a powerful shift:
T – Target the Priorities.
It’s the second step in our 7-phase process, and it’s where overwhelmed organizations become aligned, focused teams.
We help companies cut through the noise, define what matters most, and commit to a few key goals that move the business forward.
Let’s walk through how you can do the same.
🔑 How to Target the Right Priorities for Business Growth
✅ Step 1: Look at the Big Picture
Before setting new goals, assess your business honestly.
Ask:
- What are our biggest opportunities right now?
- What’s slowing us down?
- What do our customers need most?
- Where are we leaking time, money, or talent?
Use strategy audits, performance data, and leadership insights. This isn’t about guessing—it’s about grounding your goals in facts.
STRIDES™ Tip:
We use a Strategic Audit and Opportunity Map to spot the best levers for growth.
✅ Step 2: Choose No More Than 3–5 Strategic Priorities
Yes, only 3 to 5.
This is the hardest part for most teams—but it’s also the most important.
Too many goals = zero clarity. Just a few = laser focus.
Each strategic priority must be:
- Aligned with your business direction
- Measurable (you’ll track results)
- Owned by someone on the leadership team
- Tied to real outcomes (growth, savings, innovation, etc.)
STRIDES™ Tip:
We use a tool called the Strategic Priorities Matrix to help teams compare, rank, and choose goals objectively.
✅ Step 3: Translate Priorities into OKRs
Setting goals isn’t enough—they need to be clear, measurable, and motivating.
That’s where OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) come in.
Here’s how it works:
- Objective: The big thing you want to achieve
- Key Results: 3–5 numbers or milestones that prove progress
Example:
- Objective: Launch a new digital product
- Key Results:
- Develop MVP by June 30
- Get 500 users by September
- Achieve 80% satisfaction rating
- Develop MVP by June 30
OKRs give your team a shared language and direction.
STRIDES™ Tip:
We guide leadership teams through a 2-hour OKR Alignment Workshop that removes confusion and creates real commitment.
✅ Step 4: Assign Owners and Teams
A goal without an owner is just a wish.
Every strategic priority needs a clear leader—someone responsible for progress, decision-making, and communication. You’ll also need supporting teams with defined roles.
Make ownership visible. Review it regularly. Celebrate those who move the needle.
STRIDES™ Tip:
We help clients build OKR Scorecards where each initiative shows:
📌 Owner | 🗓️ Timeline | 📈 Progress Bar | 💬 Last Update
✅ Step 5: Communicate and Reinforce Weekly
A goal set in January but never mentioned again is forgotten by February.
To build momentum:
- Review strategic priorities in weekly huddles
- Tie team goals to company OKRs
- Share progress visually (dashboards, leaderboards)
- Give feedback and adjust as needed
STRIDES™ Tip:
We introduce simple governance cadences that take 20 minutes per week but create massive alignment and ownership.
📊 Before vs. After STRIDES™: A Real Example
Client: Mid-sized logistics company in Metro Manila
Challenge: 12 “top” goals, no progress, poor team alignment
After STRIDES™ Priority Workshop:
- Reduced goals to 4
- Created OKRs for each priority
- Assigned executive owners
- Tracked progress weekly using OKR dashboards
Results after 90 days:
✔ 3 projects launched
✔ 2 new partnerships signed
✔ 1M PHP in cost savings
✔ Team morale improved significantly
“We finally feel like we’re rowing in the same direction,” the COO said.
💡 What You Gain by Targeting the Right Priorities
✔ Clarity – Everyone knows what to focus on
✔ Confidence – Leaders feel in control, not overwhelmed
✔ Momentum – Early wins build excitement
✔ Results – Resources are used where they matter most
✔ Culture – People feel productive, not just busy
⚙️ How STRIDES™ Helps You Prioritize and Execute
STRIDES™ isn’t a one-time workshop. It’s a full consulting program designed to walk with your team for 6 to 12 months. We guide you from planning to doing—and from doing to winning.
In the T – Target the Priorities phase, you get:
- Strategy Audit
- Leadership Interviews
- Strategic Priorities Matrix
- OKR Alignment Sessions
- Goal Ownership Mapping
- Execution Scorecards
You walk away with a focused roadmap—not just a list of ideas.
🎓 What You Can Do Now
If your team is overwhelmed with too many goals…
If people are working hard but not moving forward…
If strategy sessions aren’t turning into real action…
It’s time to Target the Priorities.
And if you want someone to walk with you step by step, that’s what STRIDES™ was built for.
📞 Let’s Talk About How STRIDES™ Can Help Your Team Focus and Win
Email: carl@axelgabmc.com
Call/Text: 0966.507-9136
What could your business achieve if your team was fully focused on the right goals?
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