{"id":1837,"date":"2025-10-13T16:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T16:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/?p=1837"},"modified":"2025-11-28T11:31:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T11:31:17","slug":"improving-strategy-delivery-de-risking-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/improving-strategy-delivery-de-risking-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving Strategy Delivery &#8211; De-Risking the Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Improving Strategy Delivery &#8211; De-Risking the Conversation<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Many leaders recognise that no matter how brilliant our organisational strategies are, unless our organisations are orchestrated effectively to deliver them, that brilliance can come to nothing.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Orchestration isn\u2019t just about stronger leadership, sharper delivery skills, or better processes. It\u2019s also about making better decisions &#8211; and ensuring we have the infrastructure and business support that enable information-led rather than emotion-led choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We call this capability Business Integrated Governance (BIG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why This Is a Sensitive Topic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Challenging how strategy connects to delivery &#8211; and how governance supports that connection &#8211; inevitably touches on power, control, transparency, and accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are sensitive areas for any organisation. How the topic is introduced &#8211; its tone, timing, and framing &#8211; matters almost as much as <em>what<\/em> is being proposed. Without care, even a well-intentioned senior employee can risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Triggering defensiveness among peers or executives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being seen as political, idealistic, or critical of current systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surfacing governance weaknesses others may prefer to avoid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turning a shared learning journey into a personal crusade<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>So how can you get BIG onto an executive agenda without getting fired?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Balanced, Lower-Risk Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A more effective approach is to combine a thoughtful engagement style with a structured framework for exploring both the challenges and potential solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>That\u2019s where Applied Curiosity and the Business Integrated Governance (BIG) Readiness Model come together.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Used in tandem, they increase both the impact and the safety of introducing such a sensitive topic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Applied Curiosity Does<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/bekkaprideaux\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Bekka Prideaux<\/span><\/strong><\/a> describes it, Applied Curiosity is a three-step process that enables you to use curiosity deliberately. It&#8217;s a virtuous circle of Research, Reflection and Reaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bekkaprideaux.com\/leadership\/engaging-stakeholders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"403\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpg?resize=403%2C403&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpg?w=403&amp;ssl=1 403w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpg?resize=75%2C75&amp;ssl=1 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 403px, 403px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In this context, the Research Phase enables you to ask the right questions, in the right way, at the right time &#8211; to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understand what matters to different stakeholders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discover underlying concerns, motivations, and blockers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reframe discussions to align with others\u2019 priorities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you then Reflect on what you have learned you are able to bring your thinking together and then use this to React and build a stronger engagement and action plan.&nbsp; It\u2019s not curiosity for its own sake, but a strategic engagement and influence tool that builds understanding and trust before solutions are proposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What the BIG Readiness Model Does<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Business Integrated Governance Readiness Model helps organisations assess how well governance is embedded across strategy, risk, performance, and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It provides a neutral, structured way to explore readiness for adopting BIG principles such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Integration of governance into everyday business decisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transparency of accountability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data-driven decision-making<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leadership ownership of governance culture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Because these discussions touch directly on power and decision rights, they can be politically delicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The readiness model makes those conversations safer, more constructive, and more evidence-based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Combining the Two Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the early stages of a Business Integrated Governance journey, <em>how<\/em> you engage people determines whether the effort gains momentum or stalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Applied Curiosity provides a powerful guiderail for that engagement. By embedding questioning, active listening, and reframing techniques into discovery and planning activities, leaders create a participative atmosphere where stakeholders collectively uncover challenges and envision solutions &#8211; rather than having conclusions imposed upon them.\u00a0 This not only delivers the best solutions for the organisation but also delivers a joint agency for the delivery of that solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This Applied Curiosity-driven approach directly supports the BIG Readiness Model\u2019s purpose of <em>jointly and safely discovering the current state<\/em>. Via this process, stakeholders become personally invested in the outcome having been part of identifying issues and shaping responses through open inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using both approaches can deliver quick, meaningful wins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A more accurate and holistic picture of organisational readiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stakeholders who are genuinely engaged and trust the process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A strong consensus on the case for change<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These outcomes create a solid foundation for the next phases &#8211; visioning, planning, and implementation &#8211; leading to integrated governance that drives greater agility, effectiveness, and efficiency in strategy delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Essence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Applied Curiosity<\/strong> lays the cultural groundwork for <strong>Business Integrated Governance<\/strong> success. It ensures that governance transformation isn\u2019t a top-down directive but a shared mission &#8211; one that people understand, support, and actively drive forward, because they were part of its creation from the very beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using <strong>Applied Curiosity<\/strong> to frame the approach to capturing the current state with the <strong>BIG Readiness Model<\/strong> enables leaders &#8211; at many levels and from many origins within an organisation &#8211; to safely table the idea of integrated governance as a means to improve strategy delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bekkaprideaux.com\/leadership\/engaging-stakeholders\/\" title=\"\">Engaging Stakeholders using Applied Curiosity &#8211; Bekka Prideaux<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Business Integrated Governance<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/body-of-knowledge\/knowledge-outline\/#1698074597280-543aceac-1990\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Access the BIG First Steps guide<\/a> <\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/body-of-knowledge\/knowledge-outline\/#1698074597280-543aceac-1990\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"161\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=1024%2C161&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=1024%2C161&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=300%2C47&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=768%2C121&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=1536%2C242&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=2048%2C322&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=150%2C24&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?resize=480%2C75&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?w=2440&amp;ssl=1 2440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-43.png?w=3660&amp;ssl=1 3660w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/body-of-knowledge\/knowledge-outline\/#1704197407815-cc1d5556-f65d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">More about the BIG Readiness Model<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"183\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-589\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-54a.png?resize=602%2C183&#038;ssl=1\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-54a.png?w=602&amp;ssl=1 602w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-54a.png?resize=300%2C91&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-54a.png?resize=150%2C46&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-54a.png?resize=480%2C146&amp;ssl=1 480w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Figure-54a.png?resize=600%2C183&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, 602px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/body-of-knowledge\/knowledge-outline\/#1704197407815-cc1d5556-f65d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Access the Full Readiness Model as a FULL Member<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/conference\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Business Integrated Governance Conference<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/conference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"903\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpg?resize=903%2C199&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1806\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpg?w=903&amp;ssl=1 903w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpg?resize=300%2C66&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpg?resize=768%2C169&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpg?resize=150%2C33&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image.jpg?resize=480%2C106&amp;ssl=1 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:903px) 100vw, 903px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Improving Strategy Delivery &#8211; De-Risking the Conversation Many leaders recognise that no matter how brilliant our organisational strategies are, unless our organisations are orchestrated effectively to<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,28,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1837","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-change","category-conference","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-1.jpg?fit=403%2C403&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1837"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1846,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1837\/revisions\/1846"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1837"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1837"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big-cic.org.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1837"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}