THE ART OF ALIGNMENT—SETTING THE STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES TO DRIVE THE MISSION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION

Abstract

AbstractThe authors discuss the optimal ways to communicate mission and vision statements to employees of organizations. They write about what they call alignment, using the metaphor of old‐style car radio buttons, or today’s music streaming services. In their words, “we all need to have our own frequency adjustment dial to fine tune our communications as well as add more frequencies where we are comfortable communicating with people with different backgrounds and experiences. In aligned organizations, there are common frequencies at which all can communicate, no matter the favorites on the push buttons or in your profile.” To “reinforce your mission frequency,” they outline the following points, in their words: (1) Determine what mission‐driven activity is and put it in writing. (2) Create a structure to gather the stories. (3) Work with your leaders to create processes to capture the stories. (4) Share the stories inside AND outside. Within the latter, “Tasks that seem superficial, like an organizational newsletter, can become part of the fabric that helps build aligned processes and practices as a matter of daily work. For it is in that fabric of daily work where the mission and vision are lived out.”