Carlo Cuesta is a co-founder of Creation in Common, “Growing Social Impact with Nonprofits, Foundations, and Government since 2002.” Strategic planning is one of the core services offered by Creation in Common.
Host Steve Boland asked Carlo to join to discuss the state of strategic planning in 2026, when the level of chaos feels so overwhelming. Carlo reinforced the idea that strategic plans are for tools to help make better decisions today, and looking back at the last 90 days can be a key tool – especially in times for volatility – can help. Carlo notes a thought from Bill Gates “Most people overestimate what they can achieve in one year and underestimate what they can achieve in ten years” and how it can apply to thinking longer term in planning if that is what is called for in the day.
Carlo goes on to suggest we need to put plans into a resource context – how will this work be resourced? Another favorite quote from this conversation is “All models are wrong, but some are useful.” “what happens when assumptions that were long-term reliable end up being unreliable?” Listen to the full episode to learn to expect “more is not a strategy” t-shirts sometime soon!
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