Introducing the Direction Stack: Turn strategy into something your team can actually use
- Jessica Hall
- May 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
If you’re the one making the decision and driving everythingIf teams are confused, endlessly debating and not making progress
I’ve known what the problem is for years and I’ve struggled to help people solve it. But you know me, I bounce back and try something new.
I’m calling it the Direction Stack.
It helps CEOs and executive teams turn strategy into a shared language teams can actually to make decisions and make progress I’m not trying to change your strategy. I’m trying to make sure your team gets it and can use it.
What is the Direction Stack?
The Direction Stack is a communication and clarity tool for CEOs and executive teams. It helps you translate strategy into a shared language your teams can use in:
Planning
Roadmapping
Prioritization
Tradeoffs
Hiring
The goal isn’t to impress investors (but it will likely help you pitch better)It’s to make sure your team can explain what matters, why it matters, and how to act on it
What’s in the Stack?
1. Direction One Liner
What are we building and why does it matter right now?This is your team’s quick reference point—a clear, present-tense statement that connects daily work to purpose. Everyone should be able to say it out loud without a slide.
A good Direction One Liner is:
Focused on what’s happening now
Ambitious but concrete
Easy to remember and use in decisions
Example:“Developers are using our product. Now we’re building features that engage security teams, so we can land bigger deals and expand in the enterprise.”
Why it matters:If people can’t explain what they’re doing and why it matters, alignment drifts and decisions get slower.
2. Strategic Focus Areas
What 3 bets are we making?Make the case for the priorities that will drive progress over the next 3 to 6 months.
Format:We’re focused on [What], because [this is how it moves us in the direction we want].
Examples:
We’re improving onboarding, because activation in the first five minutes drives long-term retention.
We’re launching a European data center, because regulatory requirements are blocking deals.
We’re shifting resources to customer success, because week 4 churn is pushing down LTV.
Why it matters:Without the “why,” priorities feel like busywork. That leads to low morale, slower delivery, and less innovation.
3. Manager Tools
How do we keep everyone aligned in meetings, updates, and decisions?Managers are your multipliers. Equip them with tools that reinforce priorities and guide decisions in the moment.
Decision Filters
Short, sticky rules that speed up aligned decisions:
Client satisfaction over internal convenience
Structured offers over custom SOWs
If it’s a maybe, it’s a no
Weekly Team Update Format:
This week we’re focused on: [Tactical effort]
It supports: [Strategic Focus Area]
It matters because: [Why the strategy exists]
We’re tracking progress with: [Metric or indicator]
Prioritization & Tradeoff Questions:
When teams are debating what to build, cut, or delay, ask:
Does this connect to a strategic focus area?
What’s the “why” behind this work?
Which decision filter applies?
How the Stack Operates
The CEO owns the Stack since It’s your translation layer between vision and execution. It doesn’t replace your strategic planning or performance managements. It’s an add on that contextualizes and makes it useful. Create a new one every time your strategy shifts—or when you notice teams aren’t moving the way you hoped.
Everyone, from execs to ICs, should understand what you’re doing, why it matters, and how to talk about it.
Use the stack in planning, standups, retros, and tradeoff conversations. That’s how you turn clarity into action.
How You Know It’s Working
Anyone on your team can describe the strategy and why it matters
Prioritization feels faster, because direction is clear
Fewer things get “stuck” waiting for you
Teams make better decisions, on their own
If your team can’t tell you the strategy—or apply it without you—it’s not clear enough.
Why I’m Sharing This
This isn’t a product. It’s a practice.
Something you can test, refine, and evolve with your team.
If you’re trying to move faster, align better, and reduce friction, try building your own Direction Stack.
I’d love your feedback:
What resonates?
What’s still unclear?
What would you change?
