[Verse 1] In boardrooms where the big decisions flow There's stakeholders with interests high and low The CEO, the shareholders, the team But who gets hurt when we change the dream? The manager whose project's on the line The department that's been funded overtime They'll fight to keep their corner of the pie Even when the writing's in the sky [Chorus] Who holds the power, who pays the price? When strategy shifts, who rolls the dice? Political forces, hidden from view Keep broken systems running right through Ask the hard questions, face what you see Why do we fear strategic honesty? [Verse 2] That failing program everyone can name Still gets its budget, still plays the game The data shows it's missing every mark But cutting it would leave careers in dark The politics of sunk costs and pride Keep zombie projects stumbling alongside The real solution that we need to find Gets buried by the political grind [Chorus] Who holds the power, who pays the price? When strategy shifts, who rolls the dice? Political forces, hidden from view Keep broken systems running right through Ask the hard questions, face what you see Why do we fear strategic honesty? [Bridge] Does your oversight reward the truth? Or punish those who bring the proof? When someone says "this isn't working well" Do they get promoted or farewell? The incentive structure tells the tale Of whether honesty will win or fail [Verse 3] Map out the players in your strategy game Who benefits and who takes the blame? The political economy runs deep Some want change and some want sleep Until we face these human realities We'll repeat the same catastrophes [Chorus] Who holds the power, who pays the price? When strategy shifts, who rolls the dice? Political forces, hidden from view Keep broken systems running right through Ask the hard questions, face what you see Why do we fear strategic honesty? [Outro] Five questions to illuminate the way Strategic mistakes don't have to stay When you understand the game they play Truth and change can win the day
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