Verne Harish in his book “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits” states that the difference between organisational vision and organisational alignment as drivers toward success is a massive 99%. He demonstrates that vision = 1%, while alignment = 99%.
So why is it that organisational alignment is so much more important to success than vision?
Generally strategic objectives and results involve an integrated view of the organisation with all departments affected. Therefore it is key that every individual of the company understands the interdependencies that exist around any work effort that takes place.
Acknowledging that everything is done at both a company and individual level impacts another group and/or individual is key to achieving organisational alignment. It is key to achieving your objectives and implementing a strategy successfully.
So what can you do to promote organisational alignment within your company?
1. Share both long-term and short-term goals priorities with all the team. Be transparent about where you are and where you want to go.
2. Develop a system for keeping everyone updated and aligned. To do this, ensure that you start with the leadership team to establish:
* Priorities (what we are going to focus on when)
* Measures (how we are going to measure our progress)
* Rhythm (the frequency and habit of update meetings)
3. Drive this thinking and these habits down to all parts of your company.
* Make sure every person in the entire company knows what the focus is for the next quarter, the next year ….
* Ensure that each individual is able to connect with one or two larger priorities and create actionable activities for themselves that support those larger priorities.
* Communicate, communicate, communicate, to keep everyone aligned at all times.