We all know the dandelion. It starts as a nice yellow flower and, as it matures, sprouts thousands of seeds. It expands by spreading those seeds all across the yard. After the seeds disperse, new dandelions are spread far and wide. The original stalk withers away.

The banyan tree is a different. It starts as one trunk and, as it matures, spreads an incredible, lush canopy. It expands by dropping seedlings from the canopy. As the seedlings take root, the canopy, in turn, continues to grow. New trunks are formed and yet the original trunk continues to expand. Everything is connected to the same canopy.  

Great organizational strategy is like a banyan: Operational initiatives, programs, and tactics come from an overarching set of shared principles.  

Avoid the dandelion approach. When you start spreading things in every direction, you risk losing what made you cohesive in the first place. Ultimately there won't be anything left.