When we think about strategy execution, it’s easy to focus on frameworks, metrics, and outcomes. But strategy doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it requires people. Without engaging teams in meaningful ways, even the most well-defined plans can fall flat.
In a recent episode of The Strategy Gap, Jonathan Morgan and Joe Krause sat down with Dave Parker, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Evergreen Life Services, to explore how organizations—particularly in the nonprofit sector—can bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Dave shared lessons on balancing mission and money, fostering trust, and ensuring that strategy resonates with everyone involved.
Here’s a deeper dive into the key themes from their conversation.
The Mission Money Matrix: Balancing Purpose and Sustainability
One of the core concepts Dave shared is what he calls the Mission Money Matrix. This decision-making framework helps organizations weigh the financial costs of programs and services against their mission-driven results.
“Everything that we do with programs and services costs something, and everything that we do, whether it’s a product or service, is designed to produce a result,” Dave explains. By plotting initiatives on this matrix, teams can evaluate both quantitative and qualitative measures of success.
But the real value of the framework doesn’t come from the matrix itself—it comes from the process of using it. According to Dave, the magic lies in the “constructive tension” of deciding together where things fall on the matrix. Rather than imposing a top-down scorecard, leaders can foster buy-in by involving their teams early in the decision-making process.
“This isn’t just me producing, ‘Here’s your scorecard, love it or leave it.’ It’s deciding together what that scorecard is, which takes time,” Dave says. And while collaboration might slow the process initially, it ultimately leads to greater ownership, alignment, and clarity across the team.
For nonprofits, where resources are limited and stakes are high, the Mission Money Matrix offers a way to align strategic decisions with both purpose and sustainability.
Why Shared Language and Trust Matter in Strategy
Strategy often falls apart because of communication gaps. People might hear the word “strategy” but walk away with very different interpretations. As Dave points out, strategy execution requires a common understanding of what you’re working toward—and that takes trust, candor, and shared language.
He illustrates this point with a candid moment:
“We’re about 20 minutes into the conversation and the individual said to me, ‘It might be useful if I understood what the heck you were talking about.’”
It’s a moment of humility that many leaders can relate to. While it might feel uncomfortable to hear someone say they don’t understand, that level of honesty is only possible when there’s trust in the room. “It takes time to get that level of trust and to understand the language that we’re talking about,” Dave adds.
Whether you’re navigating a nonprofit, a corporation, or a small team, building trust and clarifying language are foundational steps in strategy execution. Leaders need to meet people where they are, ensuring that terms like “strategy” and “tactics” aren’t just buzzwords but tools that everyone can use.
“Until we get to some kind of common understanding of what the heck we’re talking about… we really can’t have a productive conversation,” Dave emphasizes.
The lesson here is simple but profound: You can’t execute strategy effectively if your team isn’t on the same page. Invest time in building trust, creating shared understanding, and ensuring everyone speaks the same language.
“Be Quick, But Don’t Hurry”: Moving at the Right Pace
John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, once said, “Be quick but don’t hurry.” It’s advice that resonates deeply with Dave and has shaped how he approaches strategy over the years.
Early in his career, Dave admits he often rushed ahead, certain that his strategy was clear and obvious—only to realize he hadn’t brought others along for the ride. “Not only have you not involved me, I also don’t understand what you’re talking about,” he reflects.
It was a humbling lesson, but one that has served him well. Today, Dave emphasizes the importance of engaging teams where they are and recognizing that strategy isn’t just about creating plans—it’s about ensuring those plans are understood and embraced at all levels of the organization.
This approach requires patience and intentionality. “I learned the hard way… all the while not bringing others along,” Dave says. Leaders need to balance urgency with clarity, ensuring that speed doesn’t come at the expense of understanding.
By slowing down and engaging people in the process, leaders can create a stronger sense of alignment and purpose. Everyone becomes invested in the strategy—not because it was handed to them, but because they had a role in shaping it.
Bringing It All Together: Strategy Is a Human Process
What makes this conversation with Dave Parker so impactful is his reminder that strategy isn’t just about frameworks, processes, or scorecards—it’s about people. Strategy is inherently a human process.
Whether you’re balancing mission and money, clarifying language, or slowing down to bring others along, the goal is the same: to engage your team in a way that fosters trust, alignment, and ownership.
Leaders, especially in the nonprofit sector, face the unique challenge of making every resource count while staying true to their mission. But as Dave’s insights show, you don’t have to sacrifice collaboration for results. When you involve people in the process—when you listen, clarify, and engage—strategy becomes more than just a plan. It becomes a shared journey.
As Dave so aptly puts it, “Everyone is engaged in strategy every single day.” The key is to ensure they’re engaged in a way that drives progress, builds trust, and connects the work to the bigger picture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a leader looking to close the gap between strategy and execution, Dave Parker’s insights offer a practical and human-centered approach. From frameworks like the Mission Money Matrix to the importance of trust and shared language, this episode is a masterclass in leading teams with clarity and purpose.
For more on Dave’s lessons and strategies, be sure to listen to the full episode of The Strategy Gap.
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A podcast about the space between savvy strategy and practical execution, including everything that can go wrong on the way.
