Creating Strategic Alignment through Executive Development

• Clear, compelling vision, values, and strategies exist
• They are understood and committed to throughout the organization
• They are translated into aligned business, function, team, and individual goals and actions
• People are equipped with the capabilities needed to achieve the vision, live the values, and successfully execute the strategies
• Key systems and process are aligned (e.g.- rewards and recognition)

Next, if you find that the above conditions are not apparent, you can confidently conclude that your company is not aligned strategically and you have some work to do. Your next steps should be to:

1. Identify the critical gaps between the current and desired states of strategic alignment
2. Create an action plan to close those gaps
3. Consider developing an executive/leadership development strategy and program to engage people in the vision and strategy process in a way that builds deep understanding and ownership, plus builds the capabilities needed to achieve the vision and execute the strategies
4. Create and launch a communication strategy to support alignment as well.

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 business goals and financial performance rankings, but also team spirit, collaboration, decentralization, empowerment, and individual fulfillment are guaranteed to improve.