Lever #4: Interactive Control Systems — Driving Engagement and Agility
Why Interaction Drives Alignment
If diagnostic controls tell you what’s happening, interactive controls ensure that leaders and teams are actively discussing and adjusting strategy together. These systems create a continuous feedback loop, where insights from the front lines inform leadership decisions, and leadership guidance shapes team actions.
Interactive controls are essential in a fast-moving market. They prevent “top-down” strategies from becoming outdated and ensure employees feel heard, valued, and empowered to share ideas.
What Interactive Control Systems Are
In Robert Simons’ Four Levers of Control, interactive controls are the formal and informal processes that keep everyone talking about strategy:
- Regular leadership and cross-functional team meetings
- Feedback loops between departments and executives
- Digital tools for collaboration and communication
- Mechanisms for surfacing risks and opportunities early
Interactive controls don’t just push information down—they pull insights up, building trust and agility.
Signs of Weak Interactive Systems
A low score in your Strategy Simplified assessment for this lever might show up as:
- Strategy discussions limited to senior leadership
- Teams unaware of changing priorities or market dynamics
- Employees hesitant to raise issues or propose solutions
- Innovation stalling because communication channels are unclear
How to Strengthen This Lever
- Establish a Rhythm of Strategy Conversations: Hold monthly or quarterly alignment sessions where strategy progress is reviewed openly.
- Empower Cross-Functional Teams: Encourage diverse perspectives to solve challenges.
- Invest in Collaboration Tools: Use digital platforms to share updates and collect feedback seamlessly.
- Create a Safe Feedback Culture: Encourage honest communication without fear of blame.
- Integrate Continuous Learning: Make strategy reviews part of ongoing professional development.
Connecting Back to Your Assessment
This lever’s score highlights how effectively your teams are communicating strategy in both directions.
- A Needs Work score signals siloed decision-making or a lack of safe channels for feedback.
- A Mostly Aligned score shows communication efforts are happening but may need stronger leadership visibility.
- A Fully Aligned score means you have a culture of open dialogue, responsiveness, and adaptability.
Why This Lever Matters
Interactive control systems turn strategy from a static plan into a living, evolving process. Organizations with high interactive engagement can:
- Adapt quickly to market changes
- Empower employees to share innovative ideas
- Build trust across all levels of the business
🔗 Pro Tip: Rotate who leads strategy review meetings. Giving middle managers and team leads a voice creates ownership and helps surface insights leadership might miss.
