Overview:
In our work with leadership teams, building alignment is often a weak point that results in resistance and problems with execution.
Keeping everyone up to speed on what they’re supposed to be doing and why they’re supposed to be doing it with building alignment. It also creates a feeling of ownership or buy-in for the vision, and it ensures that everyone is moving in the same direction.
Building alignment is an ongoing process that needs to be monitored so that over time, as needs and conditions change, re-alignment can occur.
3 Drivers of Building Alignment: Clarity, Dialogue, and Inspiration.
- Clarity drives alignment with ensuring communication to be structured and rational.
- Leaders can have trouble putting their ideas into words. Other times, leaders find it hard to stay on topic or fail to voice important points.
- Dialogue drives alignment by ensuring others are aligned around the vision. This is accomplished by encouraging rich dialogue regarding the “who”, “what”, “when”, “where, “why”, and “how” questions.
- Alignment requires an openness to others’ opinions, ideas, and concerns. It involves two-way conversations that increase buy-in and help leaders identify potential challenges.
- Dialogue is also about being receptive to listening to and considering the ideas of others. Too often leaders tend to identify reasons an idea won’t work too quickly discouraging others from sharing their thoughts.
- Inspiration drives alignment by ensuring others are excited and passionate about the future.
- Alignment is about passion and commitment. Additionally, to achieve genuine buy-in, employees need to see how their efforts will contribute to the overall growth and success of the company.
Important Aspects of Building Alignment:
- Clarifies the benefits and reasons for vision and related change.
- Provides a forum for questions and/or concerns.
- Aligns employees with the vision.
- Creates excitement for the vision.
Check out Part One and Part Three.