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
Duration:00:00:13
Dedication
Duration:00:00:13
Chapter 1: Beware the Strategy Trap
Duration:00:12:11
Phase 1: Setting the Stage
Duration:00:06:43
Part One: Co-Creation: Avoiding the Isolation Trap
Duration:00:00:05
Chapter 2: Widen Your Circle
Duration:00:10:26
Chapter 3: Engage Leaders
Duration:00:33:50
Chapter 4: Validate
Duration:00:29:16
Chapter 5: Commit
Duration:00:07:46
Co-Creation Summary and Checklist
Duration:00:06:50
Part Two: Clarity: Escaping the Complexity Trap
Duration:00:02:12
Chapter 6: Start with Why ... and Why Not
Duration:00:12:11
Chapter 7: Develop Common Language
Duration:00:24:12
Chapter 8: Make It Meaningful
Duration:00:18:01
Chapter 9: Delegate the How
Duration:00:19:09
Clarity Summary and Checklist
Duration:00:06:22
Part Three: Capacity: Beating the Overcommitment Trap
Duration:00:03:05
Chapter 10: Create Space
Duration:00:31:55
Chapter 11: Prioritize
Duration:00:07:25
Chapter 12: Resource the Plan
Duration:00:28:21
Capacity Summary and Checklist
Duration:00:06:04
From Setting the Stage to Showtime
Duration:00:00:54
PHASE 2: Showtime
Duration:00:01:57
Part Four: Communication: Stopping the Signal Fade Trap
Duration:00:02:59
Chapter 13: Early: Prep the Foundation
Duration:00:28:35
Chapter 14: Loud: Cut Through the Noise
Duration:00:24:12
Chapter 15: Continuous: Repeat and Reinforce
Duration:00:13:50
Communication Summary and Checklist
Duration:00:04:50
Part Five: Coordination: Closing the Silo Trap
Duration:00:01:30
Chapter 16: Balance Structure
Duration:00:06:43
Chapter 17: Orchestrate Work
Duration:00:19:32
Chapter 18: Establish Checkpoints
Duration:00:16:53
Chapter 19: Manage Up
Duration:00:06:42
Coordination Summary and Checklist
Duration:00:06:37
Part Six: Coaching: Defeating the Ivory Tower Trap
Duration:00:02:37
Chapter 20: Build an Execution Culture
Duration:00:10:55
Chapter 21: Game Manage
Duration:00:07:20
Chapter 22: Motivate
Duration:00:20:54
Chapter 23: Develop a Coaching Mindset
Duration:00:23:05
Coaching Summary and Checklist
Duration:00:07:37
Conclusion
Duration:00:04:37
Acknowledgements
Duration:00:16:09
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:23