“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Henry Ford
Alignment. Focus. Unity. Results. These words are often used in leadership conversations, but what do they mean? More importantly, how do you ensure they are present for yourself and your team, not just in theory but in action, exemplified through behaviors?
It’s easy to assume that just because you’re in the same room or on the same Zoom call, you’re aligned. But here’s the tough question: Are you genuinely united in purpose or merely present? The difference between these two can mean the difference between mediocrity and excellence. It can be the difference between irrelevance and great.
One of the most challenging aspects of leadership is ensuring that everyone is aware of the purpose, values, and mission and deeply committed to them. This requires more than a great kickoff meeting or a motivational speech once or twice. It demands ongoing, intentional effort to keep everyone focused and aligned. When you are tired of talking about it, it is just starting to sink in…
But here’s the truth: it’s not just about the team. It starts with you. Ask yourself, “Am I fully aligned with the purpose, values, and mission?” How can you expect your team to be if you need more clarity on where you’re going and why it matters?
Alignment isn’t static. It’s dynamic. It requires constant tuning, much like a musical instrument. It’s your responsibility to ensure that every string in your team is tuned to the same note. Without continuous awareness and adjustment, every instrument will get out of tune, but it’s magical when all the instruments are in tune and playing together.
I have written about this previously using one of my favorite Vince Lombardi quotes for inspiration; “Individuals Aligned and Focused: The Necessary Ingredient for Success.”
Remember, success isn’t just about coming together. It’s about staying together and moving forward in unison. And to stay together as a team, you must lead yourself first…
