The SOAR Effect

A practical guide to building shared strategy that positively impacts culture and performance.

The SOAR framework has been used for over twenty years in business, government, education, healthcare, and community settings.

Strategy is most powerful when the people responsible for delivering it shape it. Yet, strategy often breaks down because the people expected to implement it were never involved in its creation. Valuable knowledge goes untapped, people become disconnected from decisions, and strategy struggles to translate into meaningful action. The SOAR Effect offers a better way forward.

Developed by Jackie Stavros and grounded in more than two decades of research and global practice, SOAR helps readers build strategy through strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results. The real-world stories and practical guidance demonstrate how shared strategy fosters trust, collaboration, purpose, and alignment.

Readers learn how to do the following:

• Bring the right people into strategic decision-making
• Identify the strengths of a team or organization to create value
• Explore opportunities to expand possibilities for growth and innovation
• Articulate aspirations that give people clear direction and a future they care about
• Define meaningful results and connect them to action plans
• Build shared capability so people at every level can think, plan, lead, and act strategically

With case studies, questions, sample designs, and companion resources, this book gives readers a repeatable approach for creating a strategy that lives in the organization long after the planning session ends.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs