Making Strategy Clear: How to Communicate for Action with Dr. Michael Gerharz

Most organizations don’t fail because they lack strategy. They fail because their strategy isn’t communicated clearly, consistently, and effectively.

Dr. Michael Gerharz has helped leaders across industries simplify their message, inspire teams, and turn complex ideas into clear actions. In this episode of the Measure Success Podcast, Carl J. Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy and 40 Accounting, asks why most leaders overcomplicate their message—and how to fix it.

If your team struggles to understand or execute strategy, this episode will help you clarify your message and get people to act.

The Biggest Communication Mistakes Leaders Make

Most leaders assume that if they say something once, their team understands it. But communication doesn’t work that way.

Great leadership requires clarity, repetition, and a message that sticks.

Common Mistakes in Strategic Communication:

• Too much jargon – Fancy language confuses more than it clarifies.
• Too many priorities – If everything is important, nothing is.
• No clear action steps – Teams need to know exactly what to do next.
• Lack of repetition – A message must be heard multiple times to stick.

Most strategies fail in execution because teams don’t know what’s expected of them. The problem isn’t the strategy itself—it’s how it’s communicated.

How to Simplify Strategy Without Losing Power

The best leaders cut through the noise and make strategy simple, actionable, and repeatable.

Dr. Gerharz believes that great communication is about making ideas stick. If your message is too complex, it won’t get through. If your team doesn’t understand the strategy, they won’t execute it.

How to Make Strategy Stick:

• Start with the “why” – People need to see the purpose before they buy in.
• Use simple, direct language – The best strategies fit on one page.
• Focus on one big idea – A clear, compelling vision beats a long, complicated plan.
• Repeat the message often – Reinforce strategy in meetings, emails, and one-on-one conversations.
• The best leaders don’t just communicate—they clarify.

Why Clarity is the Ultimate Leadership Skill

Many leaders believe that strategy is about planning. But great leadership is about execution—and execution depends on clear communication.

What Happens When Strategy Is Clear?

• Teams move faster because they know exactly what to do.
• Employees stay engaged because they see the bigger picture.
• Leaders gain influence because their vision is understood.
• Decisions get made quickly because priorities are clear.

When a team understands where they’re going and why it matters, they work with purpose and urgency.

The Three Rules of Effective Communication

Dr. Gerharz shares three key principles that every leader should follow when communicating strategy:

1. Say Less, Mean More

Most leaders say too much, thinking it makes them sound smarter. But great communicators keep it simple.

• Use fewer words to explain your strategy.
• Remove industry jargon and unnecessary details.
• Make it easy for anyone to understand in seconds.

👉 If your strategy can’t be explained in one sentence, it’s too complicated.

2. Make It Memorable

A message that isn’t remembered won’t be acted on.

• Use stories and examples to bring strategy to life.
• Repeat your message in different ways—emails, meetings, and one-on-ones.
• Make it visual—use charts, diagrams, or short summaries.

👉 People forget numbers, but they remember stories.

3. Focus on Actions, Not Just Ideas

Most strategies fail because they don’t clearly define what to do next.

• Turn strategy into specific, measurable actions.
• Assign clear responsibilities so everyone knows their role.
• Set short-term milestones to track progress.

👉 A strategy without action is just a document.

How to Align Teams for Faster Execution

A strategy only works if everyone is moving in the same direction.

Leaders often assume their teams understand the plan—but assumptions lead to misalignment.

How to Get Teams on the Same Page:

• Make the strategy public – Everyone should have access to it.
• Set clear expectations – Define exactly what success looks like.
• Hold regular check-ins – Reinforce the message and track progress.
• Encourage questions – Teams should feel comfortable asking for clarity.

Alignment happens when leaders repeat and reinforce the strategy until it becomes part of the team’s everyday thinking.

Final Thoughts: Strategy Means Nothing Without Clear Communication

If your team isn’t executing the strategy, the problem may not be execution—it may be the way it’s communicated.

Dr. Gerharz’s advice? Great leaders simplify, clarify, and repeat their message until it sticks.

🔊 Listen to the full episode now and start making strategy simple.

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