Tools And Tactics For Achieving Optimum Alignment In Your Organization

I run a lot. And, running coaches, trainers and books all stress the importance of alignment. Muscle imbalances and misalignment in the body decreases running efficiency and leads to injuries.

That's why the premise of the book, Total Alignment, makes perfect sense to me. As the authors stress, only when you have total alignment in your organization can you achieve maximum results.

Unfortunately, most organizations have a vision and a mission statement, but few know how to align everyone in the organization around that vision to achieve results. Even fewer measure and reward alignment.

"This book is for leaders and managers in organizations of all sizes," explain authors Riaz and Linda Khadem. "The book will show you how to release the power of alignment, how to create unified action, and channel everyone's energy in the same direction,"

With each of the book's 14 chapters, readers are are presented with a fictional case study based on the authors' experiences. Next are learning points from each story and finally examples to help you apply the concepts in your own business. You'll learn practical methodologies and easy-to-use tools.

Total Alignment demonstrates that an organization is aligned when the following conditions exist:

• It has a unified purpose, a clear vision, and a strategy aligned with the vision.
• Individuals are accountable.
• Employees have clearly defined responsibilities supported by key information to track their progress.
• Individual competencies are aligned with team accountabilities.
• Behaviors are congruent with values.
• Teams at the right levels are empowered to develop and implement action plans to improve results.
• Compensation is linked to performance.

Your organization is misaligned when you experience these symptoms:

• Decision making takes too long.
• Too many meetings.
• Overload of emails.
• Silos exist.
• Lack of clarity of responsibility.
• Lack of empowerment at lower levels.
• Communication is selective to protect individual interests.
• Lack of motivation in the organization.
• Confusion and rumors.

Finally, the book features lots of good information about creating optimum mission statements and fostering efficient teams.