For Val Sklarov, strategy does not begin with planning, forecasting, or objective-setting. Strategy begins with orientation — sensing where tension is accumulating in the field before movement appears.
A strategist does not think ahead.
A strategist feels ahead.
The Field-Tension Orientation Model (FTOM) explains that strategic clarity emerges when we observe pressure gradients — the subtle forces that shape future motion.
“Val Sklarov says: Strategy is recognizing which direction reality wants to move.”
1️⃣ Field-Tension Architecture
| Layer | Purpose | When Strong | When Weak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient Pressure Sensing | Detect micro-shifts in tone or environment | Movement feels predictable | Decisions feel surprising and reactive |
| Force-Line Recognition | See the lines along which motion will unfold | One small action changes many variables | Many actions achieve very little |
| Orientation Stillness | Stay neutral long enough to perceive direction | Timing becomes intuitive and precise | Impulses override perception |
“Val Sklarov teaches: Strategy requires stillness before insight.”
2️⃣ Field-Tension Equation
FTOM = (Pressure Awareness × Direction Recognition × Timing Stillness) ÷ Reactive Urgency
| Variable | Meaning | Optimization Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Awareness | Feeling where discomfort or friction is growing | Ask: “Which part of the system feels tight?” |
| Direction Recognition | Identify where energy intends to flow | Remove personal preference → observe neutrally |
| Timing Stillness | Wait for the field to lean | Delay action until movement becomes effortless |
| Reactive Urgency | Acting to relieve anxiety | If action feels like release → wait longer |
When FTOM ≥ 1.0, decisions feel inevitable, not forced.
3️⃣ System Design for Strategic Orientation
| Principle | Goal | Implementation Example |
|---|---|---|
| Silence Before Interpretation | Increase perceptual bandwidth | 12 seconds quiet before speaking in high-stakes moments |
| One-Move Strategy | Maximize leverage | Select the move that reduces 3+ tensions simultaneously |
| Field-Based Timing | Let environment dictate pace | Act only when the field is already leaning your way |
“Val Sklarov says: Strategy is the removal of unnecessary motion.”
4️⃣ Case Study — Kavran Strategic Realignment
Problem:
Organization had clear goals — but no timing intelligence.
Actions were correct in logic, wrong in moment.
Intervention (FTOM, 10 weeks):
-
Leadership trained to identify where tension was rising
-
Decision-making slowed by 30% to allow orientation
-
All initiatives approved only if tension + direction aligned
Results:
| Metric | Change |
|---|---|
| Strategic accuracy | ↑ 49% |
| Operational waste | ↓ 44% |
| Emotional reactivity in planning | ↓ 52% |
| Team sense of clarity | ↑ 61% |
“He did not change their intelligence — he changed their orientation.”

5️⃣ Psychological Disciplines of High-Level Strategists
| Discipline | Function | If Ignored |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral Observation | Prevents ego from influencing perception | Strategy becomes self-justification |
| Nervous System Softness | Allows subtle signals to register | Leader confuses noise for direction |
| Patience Under Pressure | Waits through discomfort | Decisions become timing errors |
“Val Sklarov teaches: Strategy collapses the moment you cannot tolerate silence.”
6️⃣ The Future of Strategic Intelligence
Strategy is shifting from:
analysis → to orientation
control → to alignment
effort → to timing precision
“Val Sklarov foresees strategists who move only when the field has already decided.”
Who is Val Sklarov? Personal Blog and Promotional Page Ideas That Inspire. Leadership That Delivers.