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Let’s be real: most people strategies gather dust faster than they deliver impact.
They’re too long, too abstract, and too disconnected from what’s actually happening on the ground.
It’s not that the intentions are wrong — it’s just that the strategy itself ends up feeling more like a compliance exercise than a catalyst for change. And that’s a problem.
Because if your people strategy isn’t driving performance, engagement, and retention — what’s the point?
Here’s why most people strategies fail — and what we’re doing differently at Exsona.
1. They’re too slow and too vague
If you need to flick through 60 pages to remember your priorities, you’re already behind.
Most strategies get stuck in a loop of planning, revising, stakeholder “alignment,” and perfectionism. Meanwhile, nothing’s changing. People are still disengaged, turnover’s still high, and HR is still reactive.
What to do instead:
Build a lean, focused roadmap that works in sprints. Think 90 days, not 3 years. Start with what’s critical, show momentum, then build. (We call this the 5D Method.)
2. They lack credibility with leaders
You know the drill: someone asks for a people strategy. You deliver it. And then... silence.
Why? Because it doesn’t connect to what the business actually cares about — risk, cost, performance, and growth.
What to do instead:
Frame your strategy in terms your execs understand. Less “sense of belonging.” More “reducing the cost of attrition by 30%.” Use data. Tell stories. Show ROI.
3. They don’t lead to action
Let’s face it: most people strategies feel like a wish list. Nice ideas, good intent, but no execution plan.
It’s no wonder leaders and teams don’t take them seriously.
What to do instead:
Turn strategy into action, fast. Include clear deliverables, owners, timelines and a way to track progress. And don’t be afraid to say, “This matters. We’re doing it.”
What a good People Strategy should do
✅ Align with your business goals
✅ Prioritise the real issues (not just the popular ones)
✅ Get buy-in from the people who matter
✅ Spark action that’s visible within 30 days
✅ Track results that matter to both HR and the business
TL;DR?
Most strategies fail because they’re slow, fluffy, and impossible to implement.
A great people strategy feels like your best hire: sharp, reliable, and outcome-focused.
It doesn't sit in a slide deck. It shows up in the way your people perform, stay, and grow.
If you’re building (or rebuilding) your people strategy, don’t go it alone.
💬 Book a 5D People Strategy Session — free, fast, and freakishly useful.
We’ll show you how to get a fully custom strategy in 90 days — with zero fluff and all the impact.
