#6a: The strategic importance of key players.

Part of strategy is assessing and understanding key players, both available and missing. For each of the components of strategy — diagnosis, policy, and action — people are crucial.

When diagnosing a situation, consider whether the observed problems are caused by a systemic issue or whether they are due to gaps in personnel or existing expertise.

Policy relies on understanding of trade-offs, which depends on people both missing and available.

And actions must be performed by people.

Needing to hire or train for new skills and expertise is a strategy in itself.

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