Why Most Strategic Plans Fail: The Missing Link Between Strategy & Execution

Why Most Strategic Plans Fail: The Missing Link Between Strategy & Execution

Author: Cherry Chan September 10, 2026 Duration: 32:02

In this episode of the Unfiltered Non Profit Podcast, Cherry Chan sits down with Karen Craft, CEO and Founder of CRAFTXECS and IHR Advisory Services, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing nonprofits and associations today: turning strategy into action.

Karen shares the critical role of operational planning, and how change management helps organizations successfully execute their vision. Learn practical strategies for assessing team readiness, managing organizational change, avoiding burnout, and creating plans that actually drive results.

Important Timestamps:

03:26 – Karen’s background in HR, cybersecurity, and change management.

04:22 – Why project success often fails without proper change management.

06:41 – The biggest gap between strategic planning and operational execution.

07:50 – The three key drivers organizations should assess before committing to major initiatives.

10:55 – How culture, trust, and readiness for change impact organizational performance.

18:50 – Why three- and five-year strategic plans may no longer be realistic in today’s fast-changing environment.

28:28 – Karen’s practical framework: 10-year vision, 3-year milestones, and 1-year execution plans.


🔗Contact with iHR Advisory Services: info@ihradvisoryservices.ca🔗Contact with CraftXecs:info@craftxecs.com🔔 Follow for more conversations with nonprofit leaders, association executives, and experts who are helping organizations grow and thrive.



Hosted by Cherry Chan, The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to run a mission-driven organization. This isn't a series of polished success stories; instead, each conversation goes deep into the operational realities that leaders grapple with daily. You'll hear about budget crises that threatened to shut doors, the complexities of team dynamics under pressure, and the strategic pivots that saved programs. Chan guides these discussions with a focus on practical management and the less-glamorous, behind-the-scenes work that sustains impact. The result is a candid resource for anyone involved in the business of change, from seasoned executives to board members and aspiring founders. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private roundtable where honesty is the only policy, offering lessons that are immediately applicable. It captures the full, unfiltered journey of non-profit leadership-the setbacks, the hard-won victories, and the relentless pursuit of making a difference.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 45

The Unfiltered Non-Profit: Leaders Share It All
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