Strategy becomes the activity of reaching preestablished objectives and goals. The major flaw in traditional strategic management, however, is that the original set of circumstances which existed at the point of creating the strategy must stay the same until the objective is reached. New Century Executives possess more savvy than fantasy. They know it is impossible to keep things the same while you move forward. They understand Natural Strategic Management, which relies on real-time raw data evaluated by the personal and collective experience and the gut hunches of the group.
Planning is the function of moving forward while staying alert.
Crew Members of the Sailing Vessel know nothing else but Natural Strategic Management. They know well that only the most general plans made ahead of time are possible. They also know that they must sail each day through a different set of climatic conditions so they cannot fixate on yesterday. New Century Executives realize that the healthy role of the boss is one of diminishing authority. While a direct report is learning a process or maturing to handle tasks and situations, the boss maintains authority.