Some keys to making design strategy happen from experience within a business environment:

1 Involve key leaders in the creation of the strategy, for shared ownership.

2 Everyone is an equal carrier of the vision, there is no hierarchy of vision ownership. Where traditional business management prizes delegation, the principle of ‘need to know’ becomes ‘need to share’ (@fabfeed). In the context of design strategy a manager needs to impart the vision, not just a delegated activity.

3 Intentionally highlight examples of implementation when they happen.

4 Be responsive in planning the implementation, implementation is messy, planning needs to bridge the vision and the reality and needs continual energy.