> [!tldr] A compass points a direction, but doesn't show you the path In the pantheon of obvious-but-awesome metaphors I adore, you'll find the compass.[^1] A compass isn't a map. It doesn't depend on where you are, it just tells you where generally which way to go. If you know where you're going, you don't necessarily need to know exactly how to get there. Even if you have a map charting out the way, you need your compass to fall back on if the path is blocked (or you accidentally take the wrong left turn at Albuquerque). ![[Drawing 2026-03-27 22.46.03.excalidraw.svg]] ## Strategy is a compass If you're working in a big organization (or by yourself on a sufficiently big [[Defining Project|project]]), having a pithy [[What is a Strategy|strategy]] is akin to having a compass. You cannot possibly say to everyone in every situation how to go, but you can give them a simple tool to help them decide for themselves what the right direction is. **** # More ## Source - [[Hidden Potential]] - [[This is Strategy]] [^1]: alongside eyes and clocks, both of which I've tattooed on me... perhaps I need a compass somewhere.