Strategy execution is not just the Leadership Team's job. The Strategy Execution Lead is the role that keeps the connection between strategy and everyday work alive, and whose responsibilities often remain hidden, even though they determine whether the OKR model works or not.
By Mare Grannenfelt, Strategy Execution Advisor · 4 June 2026
The Strategy Execution Lead systematically follows how teams interpret the strategy, and identifies and surfaces where the interpretation is off or where the strategy itself is unclear. This is valuable feedback for the Leadership Team. A dialogue, not just a report. An AI-based tool can help mostly with data collection and structuring, but the interpretive work stays with people.
Once a month, a short, clear update: what is progressing, what is blocked, what the strategy execution maturity of the teams looks like, what is needed from leadership. No lengthy reports. A concise overview focused on the required actions. This ensures visibility for the Leadership Team without requiring them to dig for information.
The quality and consistency of how the Leadership Team tracks its own OKRs set the tone for the whole organization. If the Leadership Team slips, so do the teams. The Strategy Execution Lead supports the CEO in keeping the tracking structured and focused, and raises the flag openly if the rhythm starts to break down.
Accountability does not emerge on its own. The Strategy Execution Lead can directly name which decisions or support needs belong to the Leadership Team: prioritization questions, conflicts between team-level OKRs that cannot be resolved at team level. This explicitness clarifies the Leadership Team's role and reduces the grey zone.
The Leadership Team's retrospectives and the OKR planning for the next cycle are critical moments. The Strategy Execution Lead doesn't just attend. They take ownership of ensuring these happen with quality and produce concrete next steps. This includes preparing the process and ensuring that the strategic ambition is at the right level and that it lands at the organizational level.
When the Leadership Team makes decisions or shifts priorities, the Strategy Execution Lead ensures the message translates correctly down to team-level OKRs. An AI-based tool can help with this mechanics. Where needed, they support teams through OKR Champions in correcting the direction. This is continuous work, not a one-off action.
A good Strategy Execution Lead frees up the Leadership Team's time, not loads them with more. They bring strategy a continuity that individual Leadership Team meetings can never provide, and keep team-level work aligned without the Leadership Team having to oversee every detail.
Sora Consulting helps organizations build a functional Strategy Execution Lead role for their context. Get in touch and we'll discuss how the work goes in practice.
A practical guide to the OKR model from start to finish. Coming soon.
Strategy execution from Leadership Team to team level. A consultant with you through the whole change process.
Internationally certified OKR coaches and decades of experience.