Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: 'This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans'

When it comes to strategy, few names resonate like Seth Godin. For decades, Godin has been a mentor to me—shaping the way I think about leadership, planning, and execution. His latest book, This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans, reinforces why he’s a beacon for anyone navigating the murky waters of business strategy. As always, Godin challenges the status quo. 

He begins by redefining strategy. Too often, we confuse strategy with tactics or mistake it for a buzzword. Godin shows that strategy is the backbone of decision-making—a deliberate, thoughtful framework that allows us to make better choices and thrive amidst the chaos of modern business.  

Godin can make complex ideas simple without watering them down. He doesn’t simply explain what strategy is; he shows you how to live it. He uses real-world examples—from scrappy startups to industry giants—to demonstrate that the best strategies are often the simplest. “A strategy is only as good as your ability to communicate it,” he writes. 

The book is packed with Godin’s trademark wit and wisdom and comprises a series of essays that flow like a conversation. Each chapter highlights a different facet of strategy: how to anticipate market shifts, how to align your team around shared goals, and how to avoid the common traps that derail the best-laid plans.  

In the chapter “Choosing the Hard Path,” Godin argues that great strategy is about committing to the hard work that others shy away from. He writes, “Easy is temporary, hard builds something that lasts.” It’s a reminder that the most meaningful progress often comes when we resist the urge to cut corners and instead focus on the long game.  

One minor criticism is that there are no numbered pages. As someone who thrives on organization and loves to reference specific passages, this drove me nuts. I found myself flipping back and forth, trying to pinpoint where I’d read a particular gem. This was probably intentional. Godin’s always thinking several steps ahead. Perhaps the lack of page numbers was a strategy to engage with the book more fluidly. Still, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t test my patience.  

That said, the brilliance of the content far outweighs any formatting quirks. Godin’s words have a way of sticking with you, sparking ideas that will reshape your approach to work and life. You constantly return to this book, each time discovering new insights. 

This Is Strategy is a must-read for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to make better, bolder plans. It’s the guide you didn’t know you needed. Thank you, Seth, for once again challenging us to think bigger, plan smarter, and act with purpose. 

As for those missing page numbers? I’ll chalk it up to strategy.  

Dan Beaulieu is president of D.B. Management Group.

Title: This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans
Author: Seth Godin  
Copyright: Authors Equity 2024
Pages: 256
 Price: $21