Strategy and the Tricky Nature of Iteration
- Conserve precious resources.
- Possess critical islands that supported the drive to Japan.
- Cut supply chains and allow the more heavily fortified islands to wither on the vine.
- The battle spanned 74 days.
- Cost 13.32 million rounds of 30-calibre, 1.52 million rounds of 45-calibre, 693,657 rounds of 50-calibre, 118,262 hand grenades, and approximately 150,000 mortar rounds.
- The human toll was significant with 1,960 men killed and 6,489 wounded.
- In the end, the airfield on Peleliu never played a key role in the grand strategy of the march to Japan.2
What Should Leaders Do?
The application for leaders in business is to make sure that strategic plans are constantly examined for relevance against the strategy. When conditions change, execution should adjust in order to conserve precious resources, keep people focused on the best things, and continue the intelligent march towards the grand objective. When we remember this lesson we protect stakeholders, keep the confidence of our teams, and strengthen our ability to deliver strategic value.[ad#co-2]
A Case for Business Strategy and Leadership
Strategy should be broad enough to facilitate iteration as a result of changing conditions. The Peleliu example above suggests that the island hopping strategy was not changed at all, but rather, what should have changed is the Peleliu initiative. The island hopping strategy was broadly defined. The initiatives, though strategic, needed to be constantly evaluated against the grand island hopping strategy.Day-to-Day
- In day-to-day operations, we run across similar patterns. Changing conditions in the environment, whether it is technology, process, organization, world conditions, etc., have implications on strategic initiatives. Execution layers should constantly revisit for alignment.
Sources 1 Hoffmoan, Jon T., Major, USMCR. The legacy and Lessons of Peleliu. Marine Corps Gazette, September, 1994. 2 Ibid.