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If you’ve seen this movie then you know how it ends: Significant differences in vision among the executive team, lack of alignment that leads to inconsistent prioritization of projects and resources, and inadequate communication between departments—the result: Redundant work, wasted effort, and unmet expectations.
I had a client come to me a few years back when their teams were consistently missing deadlines—not just by weeks or months, but by quarters. Not only was there a lack of focus (they were consistently overcommitting), but a lack of visibility into who was working on what and when it was due.
Furthermore, without that visibility, there was a lack of accountability and a lack of alignment around their end goal and how they were going to get there. Their people were frustrated. They had too many projects in process and too few initiatives completed well. They had a sense of their desired destination, but an overabundance of perspectives on how they were going to get from Point A to Point B.
Why Is Team Alignment Important?
Full alignment is about agreeing on the final outcome and the process that gets us there. Misalignment often occurs when leaders assume that agreement on the end goal is sufficient, neglecting the importance of how the journey unfolds.
Mistake #1: Mistaking Abdication for Delegation
Effective delegation involves more than assigning a task and expecting results. It requires discussing the approach, setting milestones, and providing ongoing support. Without clarity on the process, leaders may be surprised by the results—pleasant or unpleasant. True delegation means staying engaged and providing guidance throughout the project.
Mistake #2: Not Agreeing on Process
Alignment of outcomes without agreement on processes can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Different approaches to managing projects can cause perceived misalignment on your teams. Despite agreeing on goals, our differing methods can create confusion and stress among team members. This underscores the need for alignment on both the "what" and the "how."
Mistake #3: Failing to Communicate Your Vision Frequently
Effective communication requires repetition. Leaders often assume that sharing a vision once is sufficient, but employees are busy and can easily forget. Regularly reiterating the vision ensures that everyone stays aligned and focused on the common goal. Consistent communication helps to reinforce the message and maintain alignment.
Full Alignment: Strategies and Techniques
- Start With “Why”: Ensure everyone understands the purpose and importance of the work.
- Visualize the Journey Together: Discuss the approach and visualize the journey to achieve the goal.
- Commit to a Rhythm of Communication: Regular check-ins help catch misalignments early.
- Use Weekly Meetings to Sync-Up and Adjust: Weekly meetings provide opportunities for insight and adjustments.
- Run Towards Conflicts Instead of Avoiding Them: Engage in difficult conversations to address misalignments proactively.
- Engage in Active Realignment for High-Change Situations: Regularly revisit decisions in dynamic environments.
- Plan With Other Departments and Teams to Align Horizontally: Cross-functional planning ensures alignment across the organization.
Align in Planning for a Winning Quarter
We can create excellent Quarterly Plans, but if they depend on others outside our team (which they surely need to), each team's ability to be successful (and thus the organization's ability to be successful) is absolutely dependent on the work and lifting that is done by others. If others don't know what we need—and expect—them to contribute so that we can succeed, then we’re starting the quarter off at risk of failure.
Getting fully aligned on plans and dependencies is absolutely essential—it will reduce mistakes, rework, and frustration. Full alignment ensures that everyone is not only working towards the same goal but also understands and agrees on the process to get there. By focusing on both the "what" and the "how," leaders can create a cohesive and efficient team, capable of achieving success together. The journey is just as important as the destination, and aligning on both ensures smooth sailing towards the final goal!
To learn more about how to transform your organization by achieving full alignment, don’t miss Patrick Thean’s upcoming book, The Journey to CEO Success: 7 Practices for High Growth Leadership, which premieres September 2024.
