Strategy, Competitive Differentiation and Leading at Pace - with Chris Outram

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with
Chairman Emeritus and co-founder of OC&C Strategy Consultants Chris Outram, about leadership and modern strategy.

Chris recounts his early life in RAF postings, boarding school, Atlantic College, a dual degree in engineering and economics, early roles including BCG and corporate strategy, then founding OC&C, now a global specialist firm. He argues strategy is fundamentally about competitive differentiation, made harder by abundant data, faster competitor reactions and shorter strategy lifespans, with CEOs needing to own strategy and review it every six months alongside team capability. He discusses why strategies fail (poor analysis/design, weak commitment/execution), CEO strengths, board agenda gaps, and strategic risks including geopolitical uncertainty, competition, talent, and pace. Chris outlines where AI will first affect strategy work and closes with his pet hate and secret passions.

00:00 Intro
01:42 Early Life And Education
04:27 Career Turns And Founding OC&C
07:28 What High End Strategy Means
08:52 How Strategy Has Changed
14:06 Shorter Horizons Long Term Markets
16:08 Six Month Strategy And Talent Reviews
18:40 Why Strategies Fail
21:03 CEO Skills Vision Analysis Execution
22:58 Commitment Execution And Common Traps
25:46 Focus And Top Team Belief
27:37 Purpose And Success
28:49 Uncomfortable Board Truths
31:41 Holding Strategy Accountable
33:00 AI And Strategy Work
38:01 First Mover Or Moat
42:38 Risks Boards Underweight
45:37 AI In Professional Services
47:33 Futurology With Data
52:14 Closing Questions

Contact the show! Email:podcast@leadershiplistening.com

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