Alignment
We have been embarking on a journey that will help us accomplish our BAG and team aspirations. Alignment is an agreement on the WIG of our organization and on the process to achieving them.
Studies have shown in large or small organizations, team members who are frustrated with their teams' effectiveness is not due to the lack of team member's ability or desire, rather stems from the lack of alignment. Most people will agree that being able to generate alignment amongst the members is the fundamental components of winning. Creating alignment goes beyond utterly creating consensus. As Fred Smith, Chairman of Federal Express has repeatedly been quoted as saying, "Alignment is the essence of management."
Alignment reflects an "Active Ownership" on the part of the team members, not simply the absence of disagreement or acquiescence. Many team members fall into the trap of assuming their team is aligned because of a lack of any active disagreement, and consequently, do not direct any energy at improving the leadership team's understanding of the business priorities. The disappointment that members face with the ineffective use of resources is often due to a misperception of the clarity around the organization's top priorities (WIG). Simply relying on visible disagreement is not the most effective way to recognize the true state of alignment amongst the different stakeholders. When asked: "What our top challenges" and one gets five different answers from five different members of the team - the team as an alignment opportunity.
What does it mean to Be a Well Aligned Organization?
How would you like to lead an organization in which every individual knows the business' goals, vision, and top challenges? "If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you could dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any time," according to Patrick Lencioni, Patrick, author of "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team".
All activities performed by individuals in a perfectly aligned organization help move the business closer to its strategic vision. By ensuring that teams at various levels in the organization are aligned with their goals, we can move the business towards a culture of "working towards objectives." This alignment amongst the teams will help drive actions that are necessary for the medium term to deliver the required results.
Promoting a well-aligned organization depends on two critical factors: First, the process and training must support the purpose of the team; and second, the members of the team must understand how the top strategic objectives translate to personal goals - how they can benefit from it. Alignment is an arrangement, a culture of trust and value.
Babak Mohammadi!
