Ltap Research

Sunday, October 4, 2026

Strategy Made Simple

This is my favourite strategy formula.

(and it's perfect for those new to strategy)

I created the Why-What-How formula by combining Simon Sinek's Golden Circle and Roger Martin's Playing to Win.

Let’s break it down:

(1) WHY do we need to change?

This is the reason your strategy exists in the first place. It defines the problem you’re solving or the opportunity you can’t afford to miss.

It matters because without a strong “why,” people won’t rally behind your vision.

How to find your “why”:

• Look for the *real* problem
• Ask: “What happens if we don’t act?”
• Make the case real with data or a simple story

(2) WHAT does winning look like?

This is your definition of success. A clear, measurable goal that everyone can understand. It matters because strategy is about achieving something.

How to define it:

• Choose a measurable outcome (sales, adoption, growth, etc.)
• Set a time frame
• Make sure it connects directly to your “why”

(3) HOW will we win?

This is your strategy in action, and the set of focused choices you’ll make to reach your goal. It matters because action has to be guided by your strategic intent.

How to find your “how”:

• Identify 3–5 big moves that give you an edge
• Focus on what’s different from business as usual
• Align your resources behind these priorities

The Why-What-How formula keeps strategy simple and focused.

And it's a great place to start on strategy if you need something easy to understand.

♻️ Repost and follow for more strategy lessons.

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🚀 I just launched a brand new product called Insight Lab!

Learn how to make, write and present insight like a pro strategist. Strategists must be able to build a clear point of view, and in Insight Lab I show you exactly how to do that.

You also get the Insight Formula Playbook with 110 insight patterns across 8 categories.

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Leadership - "I'm glad to be here"

https://www.instagram.com/reels/Dcv6qUFxsBt/

Prompt Strategy - Positioning

You are a senior positioning strategist. Help me explore different positioning options for [product].

Use the customer research, win/loss notes, competitor information, and product facts I've attached.

Our commercial goal and constraints:

[details]

Develop 3 genuinely different positioning options.

For each, show:

1. The specific customer and buying situation

2. The problem we would lead with

3. What they currently use instead, including doing nothing

4. The advantage we could credibly own

5. The evidence supporting that advantage

6. What we would deliberately deprioritize by choosing this position

Separate what is supported by evidence from what is still a hypothesis.

Don't write the final positioning statement yet. I want to choose the strategic direction first.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Leadership Rules

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DdtMz8agDEL/

Leaderhip

Comment SIMPLE and I will send you the Doc! 👇👇. Walking into a new team as their leader is tough, you haven't earned their trust yet. Here are 15 phrases to start building it from day one:

1️⃣ "I'm not here to change everything. I'm here to understand what's working first."

→ Removes the fear of instant disruption.

2️⃣ "Tell me what's been frustrating you. I want to hear it before I form opinions."

→ Signals you listen before leading.

3️⃣ "What do you need from me to do your best work?"

→ Tells them everything about your leadership style.

4️⃣ "I don't have all the answers yet. I'm leaning on you while I get up to speed."

→ Honesty builds more trust than pretending.

5️⃣ "My door is genuinely open. I mean that."

→ Powerful if you back it up.

6️⃣ "I want to know what you're actually good at, not just what your job description says."

→ Sees the person, not just the role.

7️⃣ "If something isn't working, tell me before it becomes a bigger problem."

→ Welcomes radical honesty.

8️⃣ "I'm going to make mistakes. Tell me when I do."

→ Admitting fallibility disarms the room.

9️⃣ "You were here before me. You know things I don't, and I want to learn them."

→ Respects their experience.

🔟 "I'm not going to judge you on what happened before I got here."

→ Offers a fresh, clean slate.

1️⃣1️⃣ "Here's what I value most in people. I wanted you to know that upfront."

→ Transparency sets clear expectations.

1️⃣2️⃣ "I want to catch up with each of you 1-on-1 over the next two weeks."

→ Shows individual investment.

1️⃣3️⃣ "What's one thing this team does really well that you hope stays the same?"

→ Protects what's already working.

1️⃣4️⃣ "What's one thing you'd change if you could?"

→ Gives them an immediate voice.

1️⃣5️⃣ "I'm glad to be here. And I mean that."

→ Warmth lands every time.

Trust isn't built in one big moment, it's built in the first ten small ones.

Opening for Speech or Workshop

Public SPeaking Tips - https://www.instagram.com/reels/Dd5-Oy5smT9/

https://www.instagram.com/reels/Ddhc0sUq-Ng/

https://www.instagram.com/reels/Dd0mVUBKnz4/

I’ve delivered speeches and workshops to companies like Oracle NetSuite, Spotify, & Hilton, from intimate groups to thousands, here are 10 public speaking lessons I’ve learned:

1. Don’t share a story to make yourself look significant. Share it to make your audience feel significant.

2. Most people practice how they’ll start, but very few rehearse how they’ll finish.

3. Enjoy it. People who look like they’re having fun are magnetic.

4. Want buy-in for your ideas? Share social proof in the form of a story.

5. The more comfortable you become in your own skin, the more potent you become as a speaker.

6. Instead of teaching 100% of what you know with 10% depth, teach 10% of what’s relevant with 100% depth.

7. Amateurs wing it. Professionals make it look like they’re winging it.

8. Think like a comedian. Practice your talk in low-stakes scenarios so you’ve worked out the kinks for high-stakes scenarios.

9. Just like an actor shows range in a movie, a speaker should show range in their talk.

10. Watch back your talks like you’re an athlete watching game tape. Test, tweak, and iterate.