Operating Principle
2–4 min read
A coherent strategy depends on trade-offs held consistently. Each request to bend one seems reasonable in isolation, but accumulated exceptions leave a firm straddling every option and focused on none.
Operating Question
Why It Matters
Strategy erodes through individually reasonable deviations, not one bad choice.
Supporting Evidence
Michael Porter; Richard Rumelt.
Research Notes
Treat as an operating heuristic and assess the applicable context, limits, and counterarguments.
Practical Actions
Treat exceptions as strategic decisions; require leadership sign-off; audit accumulated exceptions.
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