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Tactical vs. Strategic: Redundant or Contradictory?

By Theda C. Snyder

The spokesperson for the law enforcement agency told the reporters gathered for the press conference: “We will proceed in a tactical strategic fashion.” Ummm, good? We’re glad there’s a plan in place, but that doesn’t seem like the best way to describe it.

Tactical or strategic? This could be another example of people using words they don’t understand.

tactical or strategic

Two Words for Parts of the Same Thing

A tactic is a way to reach a goal. My dictionary defines tactical as “of or relating to adroitness in maneuvering.” A tactical plan is for limited or short-term use.

A strategy is also a way to reach a goal. The first dictionary definition of strategy is the science or art of military command as applied to the overall planning and conduct of large-scale combat operations.

A strategy is a long-term plan. Tactics are pieces of the plan to achieve the goals outlined in the strategy.

The word tactical, meaning the art of arrangement, derived from the Greek and was in use as early as the 16th century. The term tactics, as pertaining to the science of arranging military forces for combat, dates to the 1620s. Stratagem, on the other hand, derives from Middle French and means using an artifice or trick to outwit an enemy. Strategy, as we use it now, refers to the office or command of a general or commander of an army. Our word comes to us from an 1810 usage that also evolved from Greek.

Strategy oversees tactics.

You’re Always Making Plans

Lawyers make lots of different kinds of plans.

For example, you might make plans to achieve a favorable case result. You might define your strategy as reaching one or more of a range of acceptable outcomes. How will you reach that goal? You will create a plan for a series of actions — your tactics — to achieve the best result.

You make plans for running your practice. You’re certainly aware of the precept that a plan must be objectively verifiable. “Increase my income” is not objectively verifiable. “Become an equity partner within six years” is. Tactics are more specific and more immediate than strategies. For example, your tactics might include writing a scholarly article or attending a professional conference within the next 60 days.

Something unexpected might happen that requires a tactical response. That might be a new opportunity, like a new statute or case law, or something bad (like a worldwide pandemic!) that requires you to change your methods.

Reaching a goal requires a strategy. To execute your strategy, you must plan and accomplish a number of tactics. You might call some actions tactical; you might call some strategic. When someone simply says they will proceed in a tactical strategic fashion, it sounds like they don’t understand the difference.


Order of Adjectives

More Writing Tips

Find more good ideas for improving your legal writing and communications skills in “Get to the Point” by Teddy Snyder.

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Categories: Communicating, Communications Skills, Get to the Point, Grammar, Vocabulary, You At Work
Originally published January 7, 2025
Last updated February 6, 2025
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Teddy Snyder Theda C. Snyder

Theda “Teddy” Snyder mediates civil disputes, workers’ compensation and insurance coverage cases, including COVID-19 related coverage disputes, in person or by video. Teddy has practiced in a variety of settings and frequently speaks and writes about settlements and the business of law. She was a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and is the author of four ABA books, including “Women Rainmakers’ Best Marketing Tips, 4th Edition” as well as “Personal Injury Case Evaluation” available on Amazon.com. Based in Los Angeles, Teddy can be found at SnyderMediations.com and on Twitter @SnyderMediation.

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