Igor Buinevici

Did you know there are different types of strategists?

And each with a unique approach.

Some are known for their expertise and innovative thinking, while others focus on teamwork or preserving the current situation.

Jeroen Kraaijenbrink's insightful article separates strategists into five distinct types:

Type 1: The King Strategist

These assertive and independent leaders possess a clear vision for the organization's future. Known for their strategic thinking and forward-looking approach.

Strengths: They have well-founded ideas about the organization's direction and are often correct in their assessments.

Weaknesses: They may become disconnected from the rest of the organization, setting high expectations that can lead to frustration among team members.

Type 2: The Servant Strategist

Favoring a participative or democratic approach, these strategists value input from others in the organization rather than solely defining the strategy themselves.

Strengths: They excel in fostering harmony, engagement, and commitment, creating a shared strategy with a sense of ownership among team members.

Weaknesses: Reluctance to share their own vision may result in perceptions of weakness or indecisiveness.

Type 3: The Elder Strategist

With extensive tenure within the organization, these strategists value continuity and may hesitate to embrace new developments.

Strengths: They possess a strong sense of history and continuity, focusing on the organization's existing strengths rather than chasing trends.

Weaknesses: They may become defensive and lose touch with internal and external changes due to their emphasis on tradition.

Type 4: The Prince Strategist

Embracing change and innovation, these strategists are a source of creativity and enthusiasm, constantly identifying opportunities for transformation.

Strengths: They excel at identifying new opportunities and motivating others to innovate.

Weaknesses: They may frequently change strategies without fully implementing them, leading to a lack of follow-through.

Type 5: The Joker Strategist

Lacking a clear strategic direction, these individuals struggle to make decisions or take action, often prioritizing humor and popularity.

Strengths: Their shortcomings may inspire others to step up and take on strategic leadership roles.

Weaknesses: Their lack of a clear strategy and ineffective execution can hinder organizational progress.

Which type of strategist do you identify with:
King, Servant, Elder, Prince, or Joker?

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Credit: Jeroen Kraaijenbrink (don't forget to give him a follow).

Strategy and plan are not the same terms:

Strategy is a logic, and planning is a process.

Many people confuse these terms - Jeroen Kraaijenbrink has a great explanation of the differences.

The confusion around the concept of strategy largely arises from its misuse.

People often use the term “strategy“ to describe something special, like “strategic marketing“ or “strategic finance.“

They also use it casually in everyday conversations to talk about their plans to achieve goals, such as “my strategy to get better grades is to study 10% more every day.“

However, in business or organizations, strategy means something specific.

If every plan, approach, or process could be called a strategy, it would lead to confusion.

Here's the key difference:

→ Strategy is the logic behind how an organization creates and captures value, while planning is the process.

To put it differently:

→ Strategy defines goals, while planning helps achieve them.

A strategy delineates the rationale behind an organization's value creation and capture process.

In Jeroen's book, “The One-Hour Strategy,“ it is described that strategy encompasses:

a) The identification of target customers and competitors (Market), 
b) The selection of products and services offered (Magic), 
c) The utilization of assets and capabilities (Means), 
d) The methods employed to generate revenues (Money), 
e) The strategies for leveraging the environment (Momentum),
f) The underlying reasons for pursuing these actions (Meaning).

This can describe an organization's current strategy, intended strategy for the future, and realized strategy based on implementation.

None of this directly relates to a plan.

A plan details the steps, resources, and timeline needed to achieve specific goals. While a plan may be developed to implement a strategy, it's not the strategy itself.

Goals stem from the logic of the strategy and guide planned actions.

It's crucial because many organizations claim to have a strategy but lack the overarching logic behind value creation.

They may have plans and goals but lack the derived strategy.

Now, the key question is:

Does your organization truly have a strategy, or is it merely operating on plans?
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Repost so your network can learn the differences too!

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You probably heard about the “Circle of Influence“:

But there's also the “Circle of Control“ and “Circle of Concern“.

Understanding all three is key to success.

Stephen Covey developed the Circle of Influence Model, also called the CIA model.

It focuses on 3 key actions: Control, Influence, Accept.

Jeroen Kraaijenbrink shares a great visual of these 3 concepts.

It identifies 3 types of worries:

1. Control: Factors directly within your control - thoughts, behaviors, actions. Focus here to feel in control.

2. Influence: Factors involving others or situations you can interact with, though with limited effect. Concentrate on areas where you have the most influence.

3. Concerns: Factors outside your control like the weather or economy. Accept these and concentrate on what you can influence.

These categories aren't fixed.

What's a concern for most might be within the influence of others.

This adaptability makes the model powerful, applicable to individuals, teams, or organizations.

List your concerns, categorize them, and act accordingly.

The goal: feel more in control and spend time effectively where you can make a difference.

Repost for your network so they can learn this too!

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Many old-style companies hate remote work:

Because they do not trust their employees.

This is a harsh but real situation.

The University of Chicago showed that:

Remote work productivity was over 7% higher than in-office productivity.

Yet, many companies still don't want to realize this.

Remote work is not a benefit anymore - it is the new normal.

And it has so many advantages:

1. Work from anywhere.
2. Access to global talent.
3. Increased job satisfaction.
4. Greater autonomy and flexibility.
5. Performance is measured by results.
6. Less stress and more healthy activities.
7. Lower commuting and office expenses.
8. Better personal and professional balance.
9. More opportunities for people with disabilities.
10. Ability to work during individual productive times.

If you don't offer a remote work option:

You can lose your top talent.

As other companies are offering it.

Think about it and make wise choices.

P.S. Does your company offer remote work options?

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Are you focusing on what truly matters?

Circle of Influence model can help you refocus:

Thank you, Jeroen Kraaijenbrink, for breaking down Stephen Covey’s concept so clearly.

It can transform the way you tackle problems and live your life.

Here’s how it works:

1. Circle of CONTROL → What can I control?

These are the factors you personally have full control over.

Examples: Your mindset, actions, skills, behaviors, and mistakes.

Response: Focus most of your time and energy here. It minimizes overwhelm and boosts your confidence.

2. Circle of INFLUENCE → What can I influence?

These involve other people or situations where your input matters, but you don’t have full control.

Examples: Relationships, job roles, commitments, and projects.

Response: Prioritize what you can influence the most and let go of what you can’t fully change.

3. Circle of CONCERN → What must I accept?

These are factors completely outside your control. They may affect you, but you can’t change them.

Examples: The weather, the economy, legislation, or global events.

Response: Accept them. Let go. Focus on what you can control or influence instead.

Why it’s powerful:

Everyone’s circles look different.

A politician’s “economy” is in their Circle of Influence, while it’s in the Circle of Concern for most people.

Categorizing your worries into these circles helps you focus on areas where you can actually make a difference.

How to apply it:

1. List all the issues or worries on your mind.
2. Sort them into Control, Influence, and Concern.
3. Act, influence, or accept based on the category.

The result?

More clarity, more control, and less wasted energy.

So, are you spending your time on the right things?

♻️ Repost to help others refocus their energy.

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Great leaders know 1 key truth:

Leadership isn’t about doing it all yourself.

It’s about recognizing that you can’t be great at everything:

You must delegate and trust your team to deliver.

Sharing great insights from my friend Rob Dance (give him a follow!).

The best leaders avoid micromanaging.

Instead, they focus on assembling “A“ players with:

Unique skills
Diverse strengths
Fresh perspectives
Unstoppable drive
Problem-solving mindset
A commitment to continuous growth

They create a vision, give direction, and let their team shine.

True leadership is building a team so capable:

It’s impossible to tell who’s in charge.

Do you agree?

♻️ Share this with your network to inspire better leadership.

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One of the most powerful speeches from William H. McRaven.

Conquer your day with one small task:

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.“

Being consistent and disciplined is the secret of success.

Life is often unfair.

Sometimes all your efforts don't bring results.

No matter how good you are or how hard you try.

It’s easy to say that fate is against you.

But don’t blame others.
Don’t complain.
Don’t give up.

Look the future in the eyes and keep going.

Get inspired and drive on!

P.S. What are your daily winning habits?

♻️ Share with your network, so they achieve what they want in life!

Post inspired by Paul Storm, video credit: Goalcast.

Did you know there are several levels of business strategy?

These include corporate, business, functional, and operational levels.

Understanding these different levels is crucial for every business leader.

Strategies can range from simple to complex, just like businesses.

However, the fundamental principles of strategy apply whether you’re managing a large corporation or a small startup.

Let’s delve into these different levels to see how they function in various scenarios:

Corporate Level Strategy:

Sets the overall direction and long-term vision of the organization.

Developed by top leadership, focusing on conceptual planning.

Typically spans a 3-5 year period, determining where the organization should operate.

Business Level Strategy:

Targets goals set by specific business units within the organization.

Aims to gain a competitive edge in specific markets.

Involves key decisions like differentiation or cost leadership strategies.

Functional Level Strategy:

Designs strategies for individual departments within the organization.

Ensures departmental activities align with broader organizational goals.

Addresses unique challenges and opportunities in each functional area.

Operational Level Strategy:

Focuses on the day-to-day execution and implementation of plans.

Turns strategic plans into actionable steps and results.

Emphasizes short-term goals, resource allocation, and project management.

A good strategy doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s an essential starting point.

To achieve success, you must understand all levels of strategy.

And pay attention to each one.

P.S. Are you paying enough attention to each level of strategy?

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65% of executives believe introverts are bad leaders:

But Harvard research shows the opposite.

Introverts often notice everything:

While staying under the radar.

They represent a large portion of gifted individuals:

Yet they face persistent biases.

It is time to shift that mindset.

Do not underestimate their abilities – introverts:

1) Value authenticity
2) Communicate with clarity
3) Master time management
4) Build meaningful relationships
5) Lead with quiet, strategic intent

Introverts thrive by embracing their quiet strengths:

🔗 Foster Deep Bonds: Focus on meaningful connections.
🕒 Socialize in Batches: Balance networking with alone time.
👂 Use Your Listening Skills: Gain insights into team dynamics.
🔍 Find Your Fit: Look for roles that align with your natural talents.
📧 Communicate Complex Ideas via Email: Express ideas in writing.

The world needs diverse leaders:
Introverts – lead with quiet confidence.
Your voice has power.

P.S. What are your thoughts?

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Ever heard of “T-shaped” employees?

Meet their innovative successor: the “V-shaped” employee.

The concept of the T-shaped employee was initially introduced in the early 1980s.

It denotes individuals who excel in a specific area (the vertical bar of the T) while also having basic knowledge across various domains (the horizontal bar of the T).

The depth of expertise aids in individual tasks, while the breadth facilitates collaboration and communication.

While the T-shaped model encourages multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work, there's a superior alternative: the V-shaped employee.

Similar to their T-shaped counterparts, V-shaped employees exhibit profound expertise in one domain alongside shallow knowledge across multiple fields.

The distinguishing factor lies in the intermediate segment.

In today's organizational landscape it crucial to possess “adjacent knowledge“ – expertise closely related to one's core proficiency.

This knowledge, neither deep nor shallow but somewhere in between, forms the V-shape.

While specialization holds merit, individuals and organizations alike benefit from versatility and adaptability.

V-shaped employees possess adjacent expertise, enabling them to transcend their primary roles, switch responsibilities, and foster personal growth.

This adjacent knowledge is moderately deep and broad, empowering individuals to navigate various roles effectively.

Taking myself as an example: I possess profound insight into finance and strategy, coupled with advanced understanding of economics, marketing, and data analysis.

However, it's the intermediate knowledge in areas such as entrepreneurship, sociology, and organizational psychology that enables me to excel as a consultant and mentor.

This intermediate expertise enables the nuanced application of strategic principles tailored to each client's unique needs.

The same principle applies to your team.

The more V-shaped your employees are, the greater their potential to contribute meaningfully to your organization.

Consider the V-shaped nature of your team and prioritize their development as V-shaped employees.

Adapted from Jeroen Kraaijenbrink

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Many people don’t understand what leadership truly means:

They think it is about telling people what to do, but it isn’t.

To clarify, leadership is definitely not:

Avoidance of accountability
Control for control's sake
Status quo preservation
Disregard for feedback
Fear of tough choices
Micromanagement
Solo achievement
Short-term focus
Belittling others
Credit-hogging
Blame-shifting
Dictatorship
Domination
Self-serving
Fear tactics
Favoritism
Rigidity

Leadership is about:

Influencing
Building trust
Guiding a team
Inspiring others
Setting direction
Developing people
Leading by example
Fostering collaboration
Making tough decisions
Leaving a lasting impact
Serving the greater good
Motivating through vision
Creating a positive culture
Adaptability and resilience
Communicating effectively
Driving change and innovation
Visionary thinking and strategy
Empowering others to succeed
Providing support and resources
Taking responsibility for outcomes

A leader is like a nurturing gardener,
cultivating a thriving environment where
every individual can blossom and contribute
their unique talents and inputs to a collective vision.

Leadership is about empowering, not dominating.
It's about inspiring, not intimidating.
True leaders foster growth, not fear.

Lead with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to the greater good!

P.S. How many true leaders have you met?

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Over 30 million presentations happen every day.

Want to present like the top 1%?

Here are 9 lessons from Steve Jobs:

1. SHOW YOUR PASSION

Use simple language and get your audience excited.

2. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY

Create “twitter-friendly“ headlines that capture your main message.

3. THE “THREE“ RULE

Stick to three key points for clarity and impact.

4. BRING IN A VILLAIN

Every story needs a villain to highlight the hero - show why your product matters.

5. SIMPLE, VISUAL SLIDES

Keep slides clean - less is more. Jobs’ first slide had just 19 words!

6. INTRODUCE THE HERO

After the villain, present the hero - give your audience a reason to care.

7. DON'T READ NOTES

Present from memory to show confidence and connection.

8. TELL STORIES

Share quick stories about how the product came to be or its impact on you.

9. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Rehearse a lot to boost your confidence.

Great presentation skills are crucial for success in life and work.

Follow these 9 lessons, and you'll be unstoppable!

P.S. What are your top presentation tips?

♻️ Share this so more people can develop great presentation skills!

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📌 I plan to launch Wild Capital Academy:

The top community-powered business scaling program,
I will cover strategy, finance, marketing, leadership etc.
(sharing my experience from helping 250+ companies).

800+ leaders are already on the waitlist:
Subscribe to my newsletter at WildCapital.co to submit your interest.

You will also get my top 100 infographics as a bonus.

Overstaying is the costliest mistake.

But most people do it anyway.

We all know someone:

Who’s stuck in the wrong place but can’t walk away.

The signs are easy to spot:

Endless excuses
Constant complaints, zero action
Staying because leaving “feels like failure”

Every extra day costs them:

Skills losing their edge
Confidence fading away
Opportunities slipping to others

The truth?

The longer you stay, the further you fall behind.

I know the thoughts:

"I can’t throw it all away"
"I’ve already put in so much"
"Maybe things will change next year"

But the reality is:

Cutting your losses early is almost always cheaper than dragging them out.

The priciest choice?

Staying where your potential is dying.

The smartest move?

Leave before you’re forced to.

P.S. Are you in the right place?

♻️ Share it with someone who needs to hear it.

90% of companies fail.

But what is one of the key reasons?

It is bad strategy definition and planning.

Here is how to build a strategy that actually works:

Most companies struggle with two things:

Big, inspiring goals that never become reality.

Day-to-day plans that don’t connect to the bigger picture.

The fix?

You need a roadmap:

That links your company’s vision to everyday action.

Here is how to create it:

1. Envisioned Future

Start with your “North Star.”
What’s the bold future you are chasing?
Make it vivid. Make it memorable.

2. Guiding Purpose

Why do you exist?
This is your fuel when things get tough.
Keep it front and center.

3. Guiding Values & Behaviours

How do you behave as a team?
Values aren’t just words-they’re actions.
Set the tone for your culture.

4. Yearly Business Plan

Turn vision into action.
Set clear, annual priorities.
Update and review-don’t let it gather dust.

5. Dynamic Planning

Budget Planning:
Adapt as you go.

Strategy Planning:
Stay agile.

Functional & Integrated Planning:
Make sure every team is rowing in the same direction.

Ad Hoc Planning:
Be ready for surprises.

6. Execute and Control

Monitor progress.
Adjust fast.
Celebrate wins-and learn from misses.

What’s the key?

Connect long-term vision to short-term action.

Build a culture of planning, not just dreaming.

If your roadmap covers all these bases…

Your strategy stays on track.

Your teams stay aligned.

Your business keeps moving forward.

P.S. How strong is your strategy roadmap?

♻️ Repost so your network can plan-and win-together.

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Only 10% of managers are great leaders:

That is why most companies fail.

Sharing a great framework from Snow Academy:

To make sure you can become a top leader.

Most leaders fall into these categories:

1. “Strong” Leaders

Stubborn on vision. Stubborn on strategy.
They succeed only if they’re right the first time.
Most companies live here-and get stuck when things change.

2. “Fool” Leaders

Stubborn on strategy. Flexible on vision.
Firm on how, but unclear on why.
They work hard but go nowhere.

3. “Aimless” Leaders

Flexible on both vision and strategy.
Chasing shiny objects.
They must get lucky to succeed.

4️. “Top” Leaders

Stubborn on vision. Flexible on strategy.
Persuasive. Adaptable.
They know where they’re going,

But aren’t afraid to change the route.

The best companies are built by these “Top” leaders.

What’s the key?

Be stubborn about your vision-know your “why.”

Stay flexible on your strategy-adapt your “how.”

That’s how you build teams that innovate, inspire, and win.

P.S. Which leader are you?


♻️ Repost to help your network lead better.

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