There are many critical elements that determine success, for either an individual or organization. We all have experienced not just the pain involved when something is out of alignment on an individual basis.
Whether that be a disc in our back, a job or task that doesn't match our skills or being involved with a decision that doesn't match our values. All are symptoms of 'mis alignment' and we know the impact of personal mis alignments!
On an organizational basis there are five critical areas of alignment that a leader needs to carefully reflect upon:
On an organizational basis there are five critical areas of alignment that a leader needs to carefully reflect upon:
- Is the leadership team 'on the same page' - ie in that which is most important to the organization and with one another?
- Is there 'alignment between' the products and services provided and the needs of your clients or customers and within this alignment of your strengths as an organization with the drivers within your market place?
- Is the foundational direction of your organization – purpose / guiding principles of how you operate / score card – going in the same direction as your 'future vision' and most importantly, with the immediate priorities that you need to address in the short term?
- Are your organizational 'critical processes' enabling 'the best activities' that will lead you to your desired direction?
- Are the communication systems within your organization illustrating 'the desired behaviour' for all team members and within this, do you have 'the right people in the right roles performing the right activities'?
Leadership Alignment:
As Fred Smith, the founder of Federal Express stated: "When it comes to alignment, the hard stuff (measurement) is easy; the soft stuff (leadership) is hard". Leadership that is not on the same page results not only in poor results, but symptoms at the top of the organization, such as confusion or in fighting or complacency.
Rather than focusing on the negative, let me describe a client situation where the senior leadership are on the same page. I have worked with this firm for over 20 years and seen significant growth and change over these years, from a small start up of less than 40 employees to a thriving firm of over 300 highly energized and committed team members today.
That is not to say everything has been a smooth ride over this time, but the last 5 years have seen significant positive growth, and a primary contributor certainly needs to be the senior executive team – respectful of each other / with different skills and strengths AND all working to a common goal / mission / purpose. Through their level of alignment, they face difficult challenges head on, provide a consistency in direction and are seen by all within the firm, as 'being together' and focused on the same end results. They truly are a catalyst for positive energy throughout their organization.
My next blog will focus on the importance or working through 'alignment' from an environmental assessment and determining the meaning therein, standpoint.
Fred McLean
My next blog will focus on the importance or working through 'alignment' from an environmental assessment and determining the meaning therein, standpoint.
Fred McLean