Strategic Planning Mistakes Businesses Will Still Make in 2026
Series — 11 Not Aligning Leadership on Priorities Strategic planning is not just about defining organizational goals, it is about ensuring leadership alignment around them. In 2026, many businesses will struggle not because they lack vision, but because their leadership teams are not aligned on strategic priorities. When senior leaders operate with different interpretations of what matters most, execution becomes fragmented. Departments move in parallel directions instead of toward a unified objective. Strategy loses coherence. Every successful strategy requires leadership unity before organizational alignment. Why Leadership Misalignment Happens Leadership misalignment often develops quietly. Even experienced executives may interpret strategy differently based on their functional roles, incentives, or personal perspectives. Misalignment typically stems from: • Vague or overly broad strategic goals • Conflicting departmental KPIs • Lack of structured strategic review discussions ...