The paradigm-busting theory fordoingstrategy.

What passes for strategy in too many businesses, government agencies, and military operations is a toxic mix of wishful thinking and a jumble of incoherent policies. Richard P. Rumelts breakthrough concept is that leaders become effective strategists when they focus on challenges rather than goals, pinpointing thecruxof their pivotal challengethe aspect that is both surmountable and promises the greatest progressand taking decisive, coherent action to overcome it.

Rumelt defines the essence of the strategists skill with vivid storytelling, from how Elon Musk found the crux that propelled the success of SpaceX to how the American military came to grips with the weaknesses of its battle strategy. Musks core challenge, for example, was rocket reusability. His intense focus on the soft landing of SpaceXs rockets enabled them to be used againradically reducing the cost of putting a pound in orbit. Musks strategy was not based on how value is created or how to position SpaceX in its industry. It was adesign foraction, the mental maneuver that focuses energy on what really made a difference through understanding the crux and creating an effective response that led to breakthrough.