Even though the weather in AZ is still, well… gross, let’s pretend summer is officially over. Vacations are done (until fall break), kids are back in school, and Halloween decorations are alllllll over the department stores.
As we enter the last month of Q3, our brains start drifting toward the holidays (insane) and the sprint to the end of 2026. How do you make your goals, intentions, and big dreams real by December 31st? You start with a September strategy session.
September strategy sessions are magic. People are refreshed, focused, and ready to think bigger. I’ve watched leaders buy giant sticky pads, fun pens, and rent fancy houses or offsites thinking that is what makes a strategy session work. But most strategy meetings fall flat because they’re too broad, too long, or too theoretical.
Let’s fix that. Here’s how to run a session that’s crisp, energizing, and actually produces a plan.
1. Start With the “State of the Team”
Before you plan, you need to know where you stand. Ask your people:
- What’s working?
- What’s slowing us down?
- What did summer teach us?
- What do we need to stop doing?
This grounds the conversation in reality, not wishful thinking.
2. Identify the Three Q4 Priorities
Not ten. Not seven. Three.
Use this filter:
- What moves the business forward?
- What improves the team’s experience?
- What reduces friction or waste?
If it doesn’t hit at least one, it’s not a priority, it’s a “nice to have.”
3. Assign Ownership Immediately
A strategy without owners is a wish. For each priority:
- Name the owner
- Define success
- Set a 30‑day milestone
Ownership creates momentum. And yes, schedule those 30‑day check‑ins on the calendar.
4. Build a “Stop Doing” List
This is the secret weapon of great strategy sessions. Ask: “What are we doing that no longer serves us?” Then stop doing it. Period. Your team gains hours of capacity instantly.
5. End With a Communication Plan
Strategy dies when no one knows what’s happening next. Close with:
- What we’re doing
- Who owns what
- When we’ll check in
- How we’ll communicate progress
Your team leaves aligned, energized, and clear. And you leave with a plan.
September strategy sessions set the tone for Q4. Make yours simple, focused, and human; and watch your team accelerate.
Want help creating your next best strategy session? Reach out today. It’s one of the things we love helping leaders do.