Now. (There's A Good Idea.)

Part four of my Leadership on a tightrope (continued) series.

The U.S. elections this week have clearly shown just how fast the world is moving. Uncertainty and volatility are our new normal. Speed to results is imperative.

But speeding to where? What's the destination? Overcomplicating the answers to these questions in today's disrupted world is a mistake. Strategic planning, and its associated processes, can become a crutch of their own—an excuse for inaction. Assembling and adjusting strategy at speed is now an essential survival skill for business leaders. Long range strategic plans are dead.

That is not to suggest that CEOs should not be setting a strategic direction. A compelling strategic vision is what inspires and guides long-term innovation and success. Some of the world's leading executives obviously agree.