What's the glue to achieve better performance?

Critical element in any strategy is its translation into reality

The only true measure of success is in its execution. And one of the key determinants of successful strategy implementation is organisational alignment.

Have you ever watched the rowing eights event? Now, think about the performance of the top teams – what do you see? you will see nine people (including the coxswain) working together in synchrony to achieve their primary goal of crossing the finish line first.

Successful rowing eights operate as a unit

To achieve success, the rowers must stroke at the same pace with the blades of every oar pulling at the same depth in the water. They all know the overall game plan for success and they are ready to respond to the orders of the coxswain (who’s job it is to quarterback the execution of the race strategy and communicate the adjustments that keep the boat on course in changing wind and water conditions) as individuals and as a cohesive unit.

Each member of the team knows what their job is during the race and that they can rely on their coaching, training, boat, and equipment, and the skills, technique, and commitment of their teammates while the race is on. When team alignment and cohesion is off, the boat strays off course, essentially wasting time, energy, and the resources that were invested in trying to achieve the goal of winning the race.
 

Without alignment, the best strategic plan will never be fully achieved

It’s very much the same for an organisation. Without alignment, the best strategic plan will never be fully achieved because organisational alignment is the glue that makes strategy execution excellence happen. An aligned organisation gets things done faster, with less effort, and with better results, and is more agile and responsive to changing business conditions. Ultimately, a high level of organisational alignment is essential for achieving increasingly better business performance results now and in the future! That’s why organisational alignment is so important for achieving better performance results.

How to cultivate organisational alignment?

1. Have a purpose beyond profit
2. Create a shared vision and a common direction
3. Visualise the journey
4. Envolve the whole organization
5. Do something together
6. Share numbers
7. Celebrate milestones
8. Measure early and often