Leaders Build Alignment

Cathie Leimbach • October 21, 2020
building with blue sky above

 

"Leaders have three fundamental responsibilities: they craft a vision, they build alignment, and they champion execution."

Work of Leaders. Straw, Cullard, Kukkonen, & Davis.



How often do you refer to your organization's most recent strategic plan?  Do you have a clear understanding of the organization's priorities and direction?

 

  1. Are you clear on what your team is to do to support the organization's success?
  2. Have you clarified with your downline what is expected from them to fulfill the priorities in the strategic plan?
  3. Has your leader discussed what you are being held accountable to achieve?


A great vision may have been crafted, but the plan won’t be executed well unless everyone in the organization is on the same page. Leaders are responsible for:

  • communicating the vision,
  • discussing the why and the how of the vision
  • celebrating progress towards the vision along the way, and
  • ensuring realignment when the work train veers off the tracks.


Fulfilling the vision requires that leaders build and maintain alignment throughout the organization so its resources are applied to its goals. How well do you ensure your downline is aligned with the organization’s priorities so staff are focused on what the organization is paying them to do rather on their personal agendas?

 

#leadership #vision #success

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By Cathie Leimbach • April 29, 2025
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.

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By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.
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