Strategic clarity is critical for success—but don’t overlook tactics.

They are meant to deal with the demands of the moment. They encompass both planned and real-time adaptations that help you respond to evolving conditions and achieve milestones along the way. To help you engage more deeply with the content, consider these questions while reading.

Key Questions for Business Leaders:

• Do your teams have the autonomy to recognize and act on tactical opportunities in real time?
• Are they equipped—with the training and tools—to make sound decisions on the ground?
• Is operational excellence a core value in your organization? And critically, is it something people are evaluated and rewarded for?

The ill-fated Sicilian Expedition:

As the Peloponnesian War dragged on, Athens shifted the conflict to a new front: Sicily. In 415 BCE, the city launched an ambitious expedition, heavily championed by Alcibiades (yes, him again. He would lead the invasion). He argued that securing Sicily—particularly its strongest city, Syracuse—would deliver a decisive advantage over Sparta.

But the campaign was marred by missteps. Perhaps the most damaging was the decision to recall Alcibiades to stand trial on charges of blasphemy. Anticipating a death sentence, he defected to Sparta. His insider knowledge proved devastating. On his counsel, the Spartans dispatched reinforcements to Syracuse, led by the skilled general Gylippus—altering the balance of the conflict entirely.

Play to Your Strengths—but Always Expect the Unexpected:

Athens’ greatest advantage in the Peloponnesian War was its navy. Their warships—sleek, fast triremes equipped with bronze battering rams—were crewed by highly trained sailors who excelled at speed, precision, and naval maneuvering. Their signature tactic? Striking enemy ships from the side to disable or sink them.

Syracuse, facing this formidable force, refused to play by Athens’ rules. Instead of matching strength with strength, they introduced tactical innovation:

1. They reinforced the front of their ships to absorb and deliver direct hits, allowing for aggressive, head-on ramming tactics.
2. They chose the battlefield carefully, forcing the Athenians into a confined space where their superior maneuverability counted for little.

The results were devastating. Following a series of tactical errors and more missed opportunities, Athens suffered a crushing defeat. Its fleet was destroyed; thousands of soldiers were killed—some estimate up to 7,000—and it was the beginning of Athens’ decline.

Tactics Alone Don’t Win Wars—But They Can Change Battles:

While tactics don’t create lasting strategic advantage, they can deliver devastating impact in critical moments. When used well, they can shift momentum, seize opportunities, and avert disasters.

Tactical Agility Starts at the Frontline:

Achieving tactical edge in dynamic environments isn’t just about well-crafted plans. It requires frontline teams who are empowered to act swiftly and decisively. That means more than delegation—it demands a culture where people feel safe to make decisions in real time.

Field Marshal von Moltke famously said, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” In today’s VUCA world—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous—this holds truer than ever. Success hinges on a flexible strategy paired with adaptive execution. Rapid decision-making at the point of need can be a decisive advantage.

To enable this kind of agility, organizations must invest in a culture built on four pillars:

• Trust in those closest to the action
• Tolerance for failure, as part of continuous learning and iteration
• Decentralization to accelerate decision-making without bottlenecks
• Capability-building, supported by active and ongoing training programs

Empowered teams, equipped with the right mindset and skills, can turn tactical decisions into powerful moments of advantage.

One last tip: be sure to visit Syracuse—an exquisite baroque town and one of the many gems in Sicily’s rich cultural treasure trove. Its layered history and stunning architecture make it a must-see destination for anyone exploring the island.

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Feel free to reach out to me at peter.corijn@vucastar.com if you’d like to explore these ideas further. You can also find lots of insights in my book True Leaders Deliver.

Peter Corijn, CEO VUCASTAR Consulting (www.vucastar.com)

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Selected Biography:

Cartledge, Paul, “The Spartans. An Epic History”, Pan Books, 2003

Norwich, John Julius, “Sicily. A Short History from the Ancient Greeks to Cosa Nostra”, John Murray, 2015

Plutarch, “On Sparta”, Penguin Classics, 1988

Thucydides, “History of the Peloponnesian War”, Penguin Classics, 1972