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Strategic Alignment – The Missing Link In Most Organizations

Guest post by: Roger Ingbretsen

Article Overview: Achieving strategic alignment is a major undertaking for any organization, but it is worth the effort. When there is unity and alignment, the energy of the entire organization is focused on those priorities that result in the realization of the vision and the successful execution of the business strategy.

Strategic Alignment – The Missing Link In Most Organizations



In my role as an executive leadership coach I continually find a severe lack of strategic alignment within organizations, both non-profit and for profit. This continues to be a mystery because strategic alignment is the key essential action required to achieve peak performance in any organization, leadership staff, business unit, team or individual contributor/employee.

This important and strong statement and bears repeating! No organization, leadership staff, business unit, team or individual contributor/employee can achieve peak performance without being strategically aligned to the mission and vision of the organization. Additionally, most often I find long mission and vision statements which are displayed on a wall in the reception area, but not embedded in the organizations culture. This is a strong sign that the organization is void of strategic alignment.

So, what can you do to create a strong strategic alignment process in your organization?

First, create a leadership development program that creates the type of organizational leadership that is trained, capable and motivated to actively engage in the development of a compelling vision, solid strategies and tactics (performance metrics) which they by consensus will implement and support. For alignment to be successful, the leadership team must have a deep visceral understanding, commitment and ownership of the organizations mission, vision and strategy. Buzz words and signs on the wall just won’t do it. A leadership team that is properly trained and co-authors the vision and strategy and then clearly communicates the desired direction is key to organizational alignment.

A well crafted leadership development experience will enable the organization to accomplish the following important steps toward creating strategic alignment. First, these developed leaders will create a short mission statement. (What do you do?) We make cabinets, windows, tires, train people, service banks, sell cars, etc. Second they will create a “short and compelling” vision statement. (Where do we want to be a year from now?) Own 50% of our market; be the #1 car sales in our region, be the preferred supplier of cabinets, windows, tires, be the leading service provider, crush the competition, etc. The last example is one that provides a vivid picture that everyone in your organization can understand and get behind. Third, they will develop the strategy that will make your vision become a reality. Fourth, they will, with the help of their folks, develop tactics throughout the organization that are in alignment with your strategy.

If your organization accomplishes the above it will have a clear compelling vision, solid strategies and tactics and the leadership talent required to understand, embody and communicate them throughout the organization. Your leadership team will be motivated to align business functions, teams and individuals so they align with the organizations strategy. Key systems and processes will be aligned and the organizations talent (people) will be equipped with the tools and capabilities required to achieve the vision and successfully execute the strategies. Only when there is alignment and unity of purpose, can the energy and focus of the entire organization be directed toward the successful execution of the business strategy. And yes, it is a major undertaking.

Achieving strategic alignment is a major undertaking for any organization, but it is worth the effort. When there is unity and alignment, the energy of the entire enterprise is focused on those priorities that result in the realization of the vision and the successful execution of the business strategy. When an organization is truly aligned, not only will the business goals and financial performance improve, employee satisfaction and fulfillment will also reach a new high. People love to be a part of an organization that engages everyone to drive in a clear winning direction.

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Article Tags: business strategy, organizational strategy, strategic alignment, strategy



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