Oluwatosin Oguntunde- Blog
- July 19, 2025
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Strategy vs Execution: Why Culture is the Ultimate Driver of Success.
In the pursuit of success—whether in startups, multinationals, public sector reforms, or even personal goals—there are two core variables that constantly battle for supremacy: Yet, there’s an invisible third force that underpins both: Culture. Variable A: The Myth of the Perfect Plan We live in an age obsessed with strategy. Business schools churn out MBAs armed with frameworks like Porter’s Five Forces, SWOT analyses, and Blue Ocean strategies. Governments craft beautiful vision documents (remember Nigeria’s Vision 2020?), and startups pitch mind-blowing disruption ideas. And yet—90% of strategies fail due to poor execution (Harvard Business Review, 2017). That’s not a typo. Variable B: Execution Eats Strategy for Breakfast Peter Drucker’s famous saying holds: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” But let’s expand that—execution digests culture and excretes results. You can’t separate execution from culture, because how an organization or individual operates reflects their deepest values. Consider this: Real-World Data: The True Linchpin: Culture So what really tips the scale between a failed vision and a thriving mission? Culture. Specifically, a results-oriented, execution-first culture. Culture isn’t about pizza Fridays or team-building retreats. It’s the DNA of how things get done. Why Culture Wins: This applies beyond business: Execution-Driven Culture: What It Looks Like Let’s bring this home. Here’s what a results-driven culture entails: Element Impact on Execution Clear Accountability Prevents finger-pointing; speeds up action Radical Transparency Promotes honest feedback and agility Performance Mindset Shifts focus from input to outcomes Bias for Action Reduces bureaucracy and decision paralysis Learning Orientation Accepts failure, iterates quickly If your team, startup, NGO, or even personal brand lacks these traits, no TED Talk-level strategy will save you. Economic Consequences of Poor Execution Let’s put this into a broader, global perspective: This isn’t just a company issue—it’s a macroeconomic tragedy. Economies with cultures of laziness, nepotism, or poor time discipline lose their demographic dividend, frustrate talent, and repel investment. Conclusion: Culture is the Catalyst You can craft the most dazzling vision deck, but without a culture that breathes execution, you’re just dreaming in PowerPoint. In contrast, even a half-baked plan can win if it’s backed by a tribe obsessed with results. So, in your pursuit of success—whether you’re leading a team, building a startup, or running a nonprofit—ask not just “What’s the strategy?” Ask: Do we have a culture that gets things DONE? Because in the real world, done beats perfect. 📚 References Written by: Oluwatosin Oguntunde Thought Leader | Project Manager | Founder, Opportunity Gist
