
The Strategy Trap
Kevin Ertell
Most strategies don’t fail on paper. They fail in the real world—where priorities shift, teams misfire, and execution breaks down.
In The Strategy Trap, veteran operator and former Nike executive Kevin Ertell delivers a no-nonsense guide to solving...
Location:
United States
Description:
Most strategies don’t fail on paper. They fail in the real world—where priorities shift, teams misfire, and execution breaks down. In The Strategy Trap, veteran operator and former Nike executive Kevin Ertell delivers a no-nonsense guide to solving the problem every leader faces: why great plans so often go nowhere. Drawing on 30+ years of experience leading execution at global brands like Nike, Sur La Table, Borders, and Tower Records, Ertell shares the hard-won lessons that separate companies that move from vision to results—and those that don’t. You’ll learn how to avoid the traps that derail even the smartest strategies and how to build the systems, habits, and leadership practices that bring ideas to life. At the core of the book is Ertell’s practical, field-tested framework: the Six Cs of Execution—Co-creation, Clarity, Capacity, Communication, Coordination, and Coaching. Whether you lead a small team or a global enterprise, these principles will help you align people, eliminate confusion, and build lasting momentum. This is not a book about how to craft a strategy. It’s about how to actually make one happen. Inside you’ll find: This book is for leaders who are tired of talking about strategy and ready to deliver on it. Because in the end, ideas don’t change businesses. Execution does. Duration - 8h 15m. Author - Kevin Ertell. Narrator - Kevin Ertell. Published Date - Monday, 05 January 2026. Copyright - © 2026 Kevin Ertell ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duración:00:00:13
Dedication
Duración:00:00:13
Chapter 1: Beware the Strategy Trap
Duración:00:12:11
Phase 1: Setting the Stage
Duración:00:06:43
Part One: Co-Creation: Avoiding the Isolation Trap
Duración:00:00:05
Chapter 2: Widen Your Circle
Duración:00:10:26
Chapter 3: Engage Leaders
Duración:00:33:50
Chapter 4: Validate
Duración:00:29:16
Chapter 5: Commit
Duración:00:07:46
Co-Creation Summary and Checklist
Duración:00:06:50
Part Two: Clarity: Escaping the Complexity Trap
Duración:00:02:12
Chapter 6: Start with Why ... and Why Not
Duración:00:12:11
Chapter 7: Develop Common Language
Duración:00:24:12
Chapter 8: Make It Meaningful
Duración:00:18:01
Chapter 9: Delegate the How
Duración:00:19:09
Clarity Summary and Checklist
Duración:00:06:22
Part Three: Capacity: Beating the Overcommitment Trap
Duración:00:03:05
Chapter 10: Create Space
Duración:00:31:55
Chapter 11: Prioritize
Duración:00:07:25
Chapter 12: Resource the Plan
Duración:00:28:21
Capacity Summary and Checklist
Duración:00:06:04
From Setting the Stage to Showtime
Duración:00:00:54
PHASE 2: Showtime
Duración:00:01:57
Part Four: Communication: Stopping the Signal Fade Trap
Duración:00:02:59
Chapter 13: Early: Prep the Foundation
Duración:00:28:35
Chapter 14: Loud: Cut Through the Noise
Duración:00:24:12
Chapter 15: Continuous: Repeat and Reinforce
Duración:00:13:50
Communication Summary and Checklist
Duración:00:04:50
Part Five: Coordination: Closing the Silo Trap
Duración:00:01:30
Chapter 16: Balance Structure
Duración:00:06:43
Chapter 17: Orchestrate Work
Duración:00:19:32
Chapter 18: Establish Checkpoints
Duración:00:16:53
Chapter 19: Manage Up
Duración:00:06:42
Coordination Summary and Checklist
Duración:00:06:37
Part Six: Coaching: Defeating the Ivory Tower Trap
Duración:00:02:37
Chapter 20: Build an Execution Culture
Duración:00:10:55
Chapter 21: Game Manage
Duración:00:07:20
Chapter 22: Motivate
Duración:00:20:54
Chapter 23: Develop a Coaching Mindset
Duración:00:23:05
Coaching Summary and Checklist
Duración:00:07:37
Conclusion
Duración:00:04:37
Acknowledgements
Duración:00:16:09
Ending Credits
Duración:00:00:23