Stop calling it strategy. Most leaders are not doing strategy; they are managing a glorified to-do list.
In this episode of Reflect Forward, I sit down with Simon Severino, author of Strategy Sprints, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, and CEO of Strategy Sprints, to talk about how to lead with clarity, focus, and speed. Simon helps leaders design an operating rhythm that turns lofty visions into measurable weekly wins, all without adding more meetings or complexity.
Simon has spent over two decades helping leaders enter markets, scale effectively, and remain competitive in uncertain times. His Strategy Sprints method replaces long planning cycles with focused 90-day sprints that keep teams learning, adapting, and moving fast. It is a system designed for real-life scenarios, where uncertainty is constant and leaders cannot afford to wait for perfect information.
Simon reminds us that strategy is not about being right; it is about learning fast. His Focus Card is a simple but powerful tool: one page for your strategy, one tab for weekly metrics. Every Monday, teams set their priorities. Every Friday, they review what is working and what is not. It is a rhythm that keeps everyone focused and aligned, turning strategy from theory into practice.
Simon also challenges leaders to build like Lego, not Duplo, modular, flexible, and fast to reconfigure. When markets shift, teams that move in small, adaptable units thrive. That mindset is not just tactical, it is cultural. It encourages curiosity, experimentation, and speed.
The beauty of Simon’s method is its simplicity. It does not add complexity; it removes it. The Strategy Sprint approach helps leaders focus on what matters, cut through noise, and lead teams that win through clarity and cadence.
My Takeaways
1. Plans list tasks. Strategy makes bets. Great leaders take responsibility for the assumptions they make.
2. Measure both cause and effect. Track the activities and the results they create.
3. Shorten your feedback loop. A Monday and Friday rhythm beats quarterly reviews every time.
4. Build modular. Smaller, faster systems are easier to adapt when the market shifts.
5. Seek truth, not validation. Try to invalidate your assumptions weekly. If they hold up, you are truly winning.
When I asked Simon what he wished leaders understood about strategy, he said:
“Do not try to prove you are right. Try to prove yourself wrong. If your assumptions survive, then you are winning.”
And if you want to bring more focus and agility to your team, try Simon’s Focus Card exercise. You might be surprised at how much clarity one page can bring.
Connect with Simon
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonseverino/
https://www.facebook.com/simon.severino
https://x.com/simonseverino
https://www.strategysprints.com/
Connect with Kerry
Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok!
Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward
Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/
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Stop calling it strategy. Most leaders are not doing strategy; they are managing a glorified to-do list.
In this episode of Reflect Forward, I sit down with Simon Severino, author of Strategy Sprints, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, and CEO of Strategy Sprints, to talk about how to lead with clarity, focus, and speed. Simon helps leaders design an operating rhythm that turns lofty visions into measurable weekly wins, all without adding more meetings or complexity.
Simon has spent over two decades helping leaders enter markets, scale effectively, and remain competitive in uncertain times. His Strategy Sprints method replaces long planning cycles with focused 90-day sprints that keep teams learning, adapting, and moving fast. It is a system designed for real-life scenarios, where uncertainty is constant and leaders cannot afford to wait for perfect information.
Simon reminds us that strategy is not about being right; it is about learning fast. His Focus Card is a simple but powerful tool: one page for your strategy, one tab for weekly metrics. Every Monday, teams set their priorities. Every Friday, they review what is working and what is not. It is a rhythm that keeps everyone focused and aligned, turning strategy from theory into practice.
Simon also challenges leaders to build like Lego, not Duplo, modular, flexible, and fast to reconfigure. When markets shift, teams that move in small, adaptable units thrive. That mindset is not just tactical, it is cultural. It encourages curiosity, experimentation, and speed.
The beauty of Simon’s method is its simplicity. It does not add complexity; it removes it. The Strategy Sprint approach helps leaders focus on what matters, cut through noise, and lead teams that win through clarity and cadence.
My Takeaways
1. Plans list tasks. Strategy makes bets. Great leaders take responsibility for the assumptions they make.
2. Measure both cause and effect. Track the activities and the results they create.
3. Shorten your feedback loop. A Monday and Friday rhythm beats quarterly reviews every time.
4. Build modular. Smaller, faster systems are easier to adapt when the market shifts.
5. Seek truth, not validation. Try to invalidate your assumptions weekly. If they hold up, you are truly winning.
When I asked Simon what he wished leaders understood about strategy, he said:
“Do not try to prove you are right. Try to prove yourself wrong. If your assumptions survive, then you are winning.”
And if you want to bring more focus and agility to your team, try Simon’s Focus Card exercise. You might be surprised at how much clarity one page can bring.
Connect with Simon
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonseverino/
https://www.facebook.com/simon.severino
https://x.com/simonseverino
https://www.strategysprints.com/
Connect with Kerry
Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok!
Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward
Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/
Workplace drama is everywhere because people are everywhere. But just because it is common does not mean it is acceptable. Left unchecked, drama can become a cultural quicksand. It slows progress, fractures trust and kills momentum.
In this episode of Reflect Forward, I break down why drama exists, how leaders unknowingly contribute to it, and most importantly, how to stop it in its tracks. This is not just about managing others. Leaders must be willing to hold up a mirror and ask, 'Am I contributing to this or helping solve it?'
We will explore the roots of drama, how storytelling and emotional triggers create chaos, and the exact steps leaders can take to build a culture grounded in ownership, trust, and clean conflict resolution. I also share a personal story about how I created drama in my own company through unclear communication and what I learned about taking responsibility.
What You Will Learn
• The true definition of workplace drama and how it shows up in your culture
• Why gossip, blame, and storytelling feel good in the moment but cost your team dearly
• How to help your employees recognize and own their emotional triggers
• What it means for leaders to model emotional regulation
• Five strategies to shut down drama and create a healthier, more focused culture
Key Takeaways
1. Drama is a distraction from growth. Recognize it and name it before it spreads.
2. Your culture is shaped by how you and your team handle hard emotions and hard conversations.
3. Leaders must model emotional regulation. You are the mirror.
4. Help people shift from blame to ownership by asking what role they played and what they can do.
5. Teach your team to question their stories. Ask, Is this true? What else could be true? Why does this bother me so much.
Reflect Forward Challenge
Where are you tolerating or contributing to workplace drama?
What is one action you can take today to shift the tone?
If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who is navigating workplace drama. When leaders choose ownership over reactivity, we all win. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. And if you have not yet, check out my book The Ownership Mindset for more practical leadership tools like these.
Let us lead well and lead with intention.
Timestamps
00:00 Why workplace drama is normal but dangerous
03:15 My own misstep and how unclear communication caused chaos
06:50 Defining drama and why it matters
09:05 What Cy Wakeman teaches about drama and psychological safety
10:35 The hidden cost of drama at work
12:20 Root causes from unclear expectations to inconsistent leadership
15:10 The real issue beneath it all is storytelling
17:00 Strategy one: Name it immediately
18:20 Strategy two: Encourage ownership thinking
20:00 Strategy three: Teach trigger awareness
25:00 Strategy four: Set clear cultural norms
27:00 Strategy five: Model clean conflict resolution
30:10 How leaders get sucked in and why accountability matters
32:50 Stay above the swirl through curiosity and emotional discipline
36:00 Surrounding yourself with truth tellers
37:30 Final reflection on integrity and leadership
If you liked this…
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok!
Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward
Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/
Reflect Forward
Stop calling it strategy. Most leaders are not doing strategy; they are managing a glorified to-do list.
In this episode of Reflect Forward, I sit down with Simon Severino, author of Strategy Sprints, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, and CEO of Strategy Sprints, to talk about how to lead with clarity, focus, and speed. Simon helps leaders design an operating rhythm that turns lofty visions into measurable weekly wins, all without adding more meetings or complexity.
Simon has spent over two decades helping leaders enter markets, scale effectively, and remain competitive in uncertain times. His Strategy Sprints method replaces long planning cycles with focused 90-day sprints that keep teams learning, adapting, and moving fast. It is a system designed for real-life scenarios, where uncertainty is constant and leaders cannot afford to wait for perfect information.
Simon reminds us that strategy is not about being right; it is about learning fast. His Focus Card is a simple but powerful tool: one page for your strategy, one tab for weekly metrics. Every Monday, teams set their priorities. Every Friday, they review what is working and what is not. It is a rhythm that keeps everyone focused and aligned, turning strategy from theory into practice.
Simon also challenges leaders to build like Lego, not Duplo, modular, flexible, and fast to reconfigure. When markets shift, teams that move in small, adaptable units thrive. That mindset is not just tactical, it is cultural. It encourages curiosity, experimentation, and speed.
The beauty of Simon’s method is its simplicity. It does not add complexity; it removes it. The Strategy Sprint approach helps leaders focus on what matters, cut through noise, and lead teams that win through clarity and cadence.
My Takeaways
1. Plans list tasks. Strategy makes bets. Great leaders take responsibility for the assumptions they make.
2. Measure both cause and effect. Track the activities and the results they create.
3. Shorten your feedback loop. A Monday and Friday rhythm beats quarterly reviews every time.
4. Build modular. Smaller, faster systems are easier to adapt when the market shifts.
5. Seek truth, not validation. Try to invalidate your assumptions weekly. If they hold up, you are truly winning.
When I asked Simon what he wished leaders understood about strategy, he said:
“Do not try to prove you are right. Try to prove yourself wrong. If your assumptions survive, then you are winning.”
And if you want to bring more focus and agility to your team, try Simon’s Focus Card exercise. You might be surprised at how much clarity one page can bring.
Connect with Simon
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonseverino/
https://www.facebook.com/simon.severino
https://x.com/simonseverino
https://www.strategysprints.com/
Connect with Kerry
Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok!
Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward
Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/
