How Strategy Champions win, from insight to strategy execution

McKinsey (Jul 14, 2024) "How Strategy Champions Win, from insight to strategy execution" identifies top-quintile performers — Strategy Champions — who outperform across 12 strategic capabilities spanning three phases: design, mobilise, execute. The biggest gap between champions and stragglers shows up in the often-overlooked mobilisation phase, the bridge between design and execution. Stat: the power curve has steepened — the gap between outperformers' average gains and stragglers' average losses has doubled over two decades. Champions make individual leaders accountable through clear targets and incentives — for example Nvidia uses a "pilot in command" for major projects regardless of role or seniority. Sharp lens for SEA mid-market boards whose strategy decks rarely survive operating cadence.