From "Jungle" to "Safari" - Strategy as Beast - Collaboration and the Art of Integrated Strategy

As I conclude my Business Strategy (MGMT A760) course, I am delighted to share my poem, Strategy as Beast. Crafted as the capstone reflection of my integrative project, it also serves as a personal tribute to my exceptional professor, Dr. Jose-Luis (Joe) Iglesias, whose guidance and insight have profoundly shaped my academic journey. Beyond the poem, I explore the transformative power of collaboration—drawing on Mintzberg’s Planning and Learning Schools—through the examples of two remarkable women I’ve had the privilege to learn from in my recent career. I close with a brief meditation on the art of integrated strategy, one that flourishes through continuous learning, rigorous alignment, and steadfast ethical leadership.

Taming the Beast: Journey and Transformation

Strategy as Beast

poem by

Carmen A. Cisnadean

(aka Kraela)

This beast can be misunderstood

Mistaken for the wisdom sought.

It roams untamed, both fierce and proud,

Seeking the perfect picture frame

To capture its decisive face.

Yet such a notion proves too plain,

A whisper of but pale design.

It bids me twist, reshape, refine,

To wrest its form and claim its mind.

The beast is better understood

When met and dealt with live,

To set apart its attributes

And swiftly mend its flaws,

Then tame it into an animal

Whose newly minted life commands

Moments of crowning glory.  

 Collaboration and Strategy: A Model in Action - From "Jungle" to "Safari"

One of the most effective managers I’ve had the honor and pleasure to work with, Danielle, showed me that sound decisions require a deep understanding of the situation at hand. She didn’t just talk about this principle—she embodied it, working alongside me to map details, identify interdependencies, and implement strategies that delivered tangible value. For us, strategy went beyond process; it was a structured, informed approach to achieving optimal outcomes. What I appreciated most was Danielle’s commitment to collaboration. She ensured our efforts were aligned and meaningful, exemplifying what I call strategic congruence—a rare achievement even among seasoned professionals. True team cohesion emerges when individuals bring their full capabilities and remain open to collective problem-solving. Conversely, the absence of such alignment often exposes organizational gaps, where leaders struggle to move from the “jungle” to the “safari” of strategic management. Navigating the “safari” alone is not only challenging—it’s a missed opportunity for growth. This collaborative approach underscores Mintzberg’s Learning School, portraying strategy as an emergent process shaped by reflection, adaptation, and teamwork. Danielle also embodied the Cultural School’s principle that healthy organizations do more than talk about employee recognition—they actively practice it, fostering engagement, trust, and collective success.

To Danielle—thank you for the profound impact you had on my professional growth.

Another highly influential colleague I've had the pleasure to collaborate with, is Melissa. What I admire most about her is not only her formidable skill and insight but also her generosity in sharing knowledge with those eager to learn and grow. Her approach is deliberate and measured rather than reactive or impulsive—a quality I not only greatly respect but one I strived to embody in my daily professional interactions. No matter the intensity of external pressures, Melissa remains composed, guided not by personal gain but by the pursuit of outcomes that advance the broader team and organization. Melissa’s style aligns closely with Mintzberg’s Planning School, which emphasizes deliberate analysis and structured decision-making, as well as the Learning School, which views strategy as an emergent process shaped by reflection and adaptation over time. She exemplifies the balance between deliberate planning and adaptive learning, bringing thoughtful foresight to her decisions while remaining responsive to the dynamic realities of the workplace. Her approach demonstrates how strategic insight, grounded in reflection and collaboration, can generate meaningful value for the organization and its people. As a professional, she contributes to the organizational culture in ways that go beyond skill and expertise—through her genuine respect for and appreciation of others.

To Melissa— thank you for your outstanding attitude and collaboration.

The Art of Integrated Strategy: Learning, Alignment, and Ethical Leadership

Effective strategic congruence relies less on theoretical constructs and more on sound practice. Strategic positioning is not simply the product of deliberate planning; it emerges through a continuous process of learning, adaptation, recalibration, and, at times, organizational transformation. Achieving such alignment requires drawing insights from multiple schools of thought and integrating their core principles into a coherent, forward-looking strategic framework. The disciplined execution of these principles demonstrates how adaptive capability and thoughtful integration can foster lasting strategic congruence.

By synthesizing the perspectives of each school of thought, organizations can adopt more flexible governance mechanisms, enhance strategic coherence, and reinforce brand identity. Sustainable brand strength, therefore, depends on aligning continuous learning, environmental adaptation, power dynamics, culture, and organizational structure into a cohesive, actionable strategy. Yet, navigating business strategy is inherently complex, continuous, and never-ending. Every part of the organization must perform effectively to ensure that the enterprise collectively thrives. Structural models must be revisited regularly to keep pace with evolving strategy, ensuring alignment with intended objectives. Successful integration of diverse perspectives and the dynamic interplay that drive sustained competitive advantage are skills honed over time—not strategies crafted overnight.

Strategic congruence cannot be achieved without people, the organization’s greatest asset. Within the framework of cultural identity, a defining element of an organization’s reputation is its steadfast commitment to ethical practices. True strategic effectiveness requires not only attention to fit, planning, positioning, vision, cognition, emergent adaptation, internal alignment, culture, environmental responsiveness, and coherent structure, but also an unwavering regard for the rule of law and the highest ethical standards. In crafting strategy, one cannot separate these threads; each is essential, woven together to form a resilient, purposeful, and enduring organizational tapestry.

Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do. - Steve Jobs

Carmen A. Cisnadean

(aka Kraela)

Author. Poet. Artist. MBA student.