The goal of alignment is not just to be aligned

Alignment is another big business buzzword these days. Departments need to align their goals with the organization’s goals. Individuals need to align their personal goals with departmental goals (and therefore organizational goals). With all of this alignment, I wonder whether organizations are seeing a difference. The answer depends on whether you look at alignment as a means or an end.

Being aligned doesn’t guarantee success. Alignment is only the first step. The second and more important step is determining whether you are having impact on the broader, organizational goal.

Too often, managers align their goals with the organization’s goals and then forget about the broader goal. This is especially challenging for internal support organizations as they often do not have direct P & L responsibility at the business level.

The purpose for aligning is to ensure that your actions have impact on the organization. By maintaining a focus on the broader goal, you will know whether to proceed with your current goals or revise them. Remember, your organization’s success isn’t based on how well your goals align. It is dependent on whether those goals achieve results.