Skill sans Strategy Stalls

I recently came across a thought-provoking YouTube Short that posed a simple yet powerful question: Why was Abhimanyu — Arjuna’s son — trapped in the Chakravyuh, despite his exceptional skills as a warrior? The clip triggered a wave of responses. But the one that stuck with me read thus, “He had the skills, but not the strategy.”

Skill Alone Doesn’t Deliver

Abhimanyu knew how to enter the Chakravyuh — a complex, layered military formation —. Despite his courage and talent, he was unversed with the exit strategy. And that cost him his life. More than just a mythological moment, the ancient story is a timeless reminder that skill alone doesn’t deliver; there needs to be a thoughtful planning too.

While watching the cricket match, the other day, one sees the top-order batsman gets out — not for lack of talent, but perhaps for playing the wrong shot at the wrong time. The skill was there, but the strategy wasn’t.

X excels in the classroom, but Y outperforms in the real world. Why? Skill makes X stand out in academics; strategy takes the latter further in life.

Skill and Strategy

Skill is the ability to perform well in a specific domain, developed through practice and sharpened with experience. Strategy means having a clear plan to achieve the goal. Many of us may remember how, in earlier times, we navigated unfamiliar interior routes. We relied on road signs, stopped at roadside shops to ask for directions, and often had to figure things out as we went. While we all had the skill of driving, there was no clear strategy in place. Today, with digital navigation tools, every detail is planned in advance — from choosing the best route to anticipating roadblocks and adjusting speed. As simple as it may seem, this highlights an important truth: strategy both supplements and enhances skill.

Getting Ahead

Now, let’s dive into how skill and strategy work together in the professional world. Skill gets you in the door, but strategy drives every smart move you make. It provides direction and clarity, helping you think ahead, weigh your options, and choose the best path forward—whether that’s negotiating a raise, tackling a complex problem, or planning your next career step. For example, a tech professional or engineering graduate might choose to pursue a management course as part of a strategic plan to move into a leadership role.

What if strategy falls short?

As we’ve learned from Abhimanyu’s story, being smart alone isn’t enough—without strategy, success remains out of reach. When a clear strategy is missing, several predictable challenges tend to surface:

• Roadblocks: Without proper planning, focus begins to drift and progress stalls.

• Confusion: A lack of strategy leaves you uncertain about the right course of action.

• Misalignment & Repetition: Figuring things out on the fly often lead to missteps and duplicated efforts.

• Excuses: More time gets spent justifying delays than driving priorities forward.

So, how do you fix it? 

Building an effective strategy—and keeping it adaptable—is the key to accelerating your goals. Here are five essential steps to guide the process:

1. Define Your Goals -Clarity is the foundation of success (Example: “Operation Sindhoor” had a clear objective — dismantling terror bases behind the Pahalgam attack.)

2. Assess Your Abilities- Know your strengths, weaknesses, and resources (Example: While the arts stream may be popular for UPSC, you must assess if it suits your personal strengths.)

3. Break It Down - Small, actionable steps = steady momentum. (Example: In car manufacturing, assembly happens weld by weld—4,800 of them, completed one at a time)

4. Track & Refine -Monitor progress and be ready to pivot. (Example: India has adapted its foreign policy by moving beyond legacy positions to embrace new global alliances.)

5. Collaborate -Leverage external expertise and insights. (Example: TASL’s partnership with Dassault Aviation enabled local production of Rafale jets.

Bottom Line: 

Strategy isn’t a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not something you apply once and forget. A good strategy evolves—it’s tailored to your goals, shaped by your environment, and refined through experience. What works for one person, team, or business may not work for another. It is to be built smart and nurtured agile.

#skill #success #career #strategy #success

By K.V.Murali Mohan A passionate freelance writer, blogger and ardent communicator - Double Post Graduate in communication subjects -Recipient of Kulapati Gold Medal and TKM Rao award in Journalism - Credited with four decades of literary pursuit spanning over 300 plus articles in national and regional publications.