Are We Aligned? If Not, Why Not?

Source: Superbeings

Effective leaders do not just articulate their goals clearly and concisely; they test for alignment repeatedly.  Did their message get through clearly to those several levels below them in the organizational hierarchy? Do middle managers and front-line employees understand the priorities, and do they know what is expected of them?  Why might alignment around goals and priorities not exist?  Here are five key reasons:

1.   Leaders did not repeat their message using different media and in different forums/channels.  They articulated the goals once or twice, and they expected others to hear them, understand them clearly, and embrace them fully.  You have to say it again and again, but using different modes of communication.  Some read their emails, and others do not.  Some listen at the town hall meetings, while others multi-task the entire time.  Some watch the 15-minute video you circulated, while others stop watching after 3 minutes. 

2.  Leaders established too many goals and objectives, and employees experience too many instances of competing priorities.  Employees don't know what really matters.  Employees draw disparate conclusions about what is most important.  

3.  Leaders did not build buy-in.  They didn't engage enough people in the process of determining those goals.  Therefore, employees do not feel a sense of collective ownership of the organization's plans and objectives.  

4.  Leaders have established goals that do not seem attainable to those doing the actual work.  As a result, employees become frustrated and start to make judgements about what is reasonable and achievable.  Those conclusions may be quite different across the organization. 

5.  Leaders create goals that do not match the needs and pain points of customers.  Thus, front-line employees perceive a mismatch between what customers want and what senior leaders would like to achieve.  Employees either address the customer needs and frustrate managers who don't see actions that fulfill their plans, or employees pursue the goals set out by top management while frustrating their customers.