Flip Your Strategic Thinking and Overcome Short-termism”
Dear Readers,
Reading and writing are lifelong companions for me — they fuel each other. I read to write, and I write to read even more. Together, they help me connect meaningfully with others, bringing both motivation and joy to my life.
In this piece, I’d like to introduce you to a book that I believe will be worth your time. Written by Svyatoslav Biryulin, a seasoned business leader with years of experience as a CEO, consultant, and strategist, this work offers deep insights into leadership and strategy.
I recently had the chance to interview him, giving you a glimpse into his fascinating and inspiring journey.
Interview with Svyatoslav Biryulin
CEO, Business Strategist, Board Member, Book Author, Senior Strategy Consultantmedium.com
What is “Red and Yellow Strategies” about?
In Red and Yellow Strategies, Svyatoslav Biryulin invites us to return to the bedrock principles of organizational management — principles that have quietly persisted even as we have been swept away by the flood of buzzwords and fleeting theories.
Many of these frameworks, he argues, are more about glorifying their creators than offering lasting value. This unique book peels back those layers and confronts some of the “truths” we have accepted for far too long in strategic management.
Mr Biryulin dares to challenge several key assumptions. I will summarize five critical ones that align with my strategic leadership approach.
1 — Profit is not the only game in town. Businesses thrive on purpose, innovation, and impact, not just profits.
2 — Strategy is more than a tool. It is a mindset that shapes direction, not just a means to hit targets.
3 — BHAGs aren’t everything. Those ambitious, “Big, Hairy, and Audacious Goals” are exciting, but real success comes from consistent, meaningful progress, usually in a flow state.
4 — “Where to play and how to win” just scratches the surface. The more profound question is how to adapt and sustain over time.
And my favorite one, which I use in enterprise architecture leadership:
5 — Strategy is not a rigid formula — It is a flexible framework that adapts to change and uncertainty. Effective strategy starts by asking, “Where are we now?”, moves through “Where do we want to go?” and focuses on “How do we get there?” The magic lies not in following a strict plan but in staying responsive and intentional along the way.
This book is not just about questioning the status quo. It goes beyond. The author’s insights are grounded in decades of real-world experience walking his talk and thinking on his feet.
With over a decade as a CEO and many years consulting companies worldwide, he has lived through the daily challenges of businesses without vast resources.
His perspective focuses on the gritty realities of smaller firms engaged in tough market battles, far from the cozy world of tech giants and oil conglomerates.
Red and Yellow Strategies stand out because it is not a how-to manual or a typical business textbook.
Instead, this book invites readers to reflect on strategy more deeply. The author encourages readers to reconsider fundamental questions:
What is a company’s true purpose?
Should long-term planning even be pursued when it fails up to 90% of the time?
And if not, what’s the alternative?
This book offers no quick fixes, nor does it present a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, it is a compact yet thought-provoking journey designed to sharpen your strategic mindset. Biryulin’s clear and concise writing makes complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them.
Drawing from over 30 years of hands-on management, including 13 years as a CEO and ongoing work as a board member and strategy consultant, Biryulin offers readers something rare: wisdom that can only come from lived experience.
Whether you are a senior executive, an ambitious entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just someone like me interested in the art and science of strategy, this book will nudge and encourage you to reflect more deeply on how organizations thrive — or fail — over time.
If a full-length book feels too time-consuming, I encourage you to explore Svyatoslav’s concise, voice-narrated newsletters published in Strategic Seeing. He also distills these insights into bite-sized posts on my website’s community blogs.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life. I am here to help, so reach out when you need support. You may take a quick taste of some of my juicy stories in this collection. If you wish, you may subscribe to my Health and Wellness newsletter to benefit from my decades of health, science, and technology experience.
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A Quick Update on My Recent Book Projects
To support the writing community and help them to gain a competitive advantage in the market I recently authored a book titled Substack Mastery, which is now available in popular online bookstores. It was well received by readers and now it trends as a best-selling book in its categories.
Here is the universal link to find it in different bookstores. The paperback of this book is available through Amazon or booksshop.org. The audio will soon be available in major outlets, and the first release can be purchased from Google Play.
I also published a new version of the Substack Mastery for busy people and explained the reasons in a new story.
How I Will Help Freelance Writers Save $600 by Condensing My Bestseller 5 Times for Them
Just like some prefer fatty cuts while others opt for lean, my goal is to cater to the unique needs of every reader.medium.com
I will continue beta reading for the next version. So, if you enjoy reading and providing feedback, here are links to chapters for free:
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19…
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