Getting aligned
My husband tells me I have poor spatial awareness when it comes to my car tires and curbs. I’ve “bumped up” against a few curbs while in a hurry to get out of a parking lot or taking a corner turn a bit too tight. It doesn’t take long to notice a slight pull to one side while I’m driving. While I can still manage to keep the car straight it takes a little bit of effort on the steering wheel to do so.
What I’ve learned from my spatial awareness challenge, and multiple visits to my mechanic, is that when my car wheels are aligned the tires meet the road at the proper angle, they are centred in the wheel well and the wheels are pointed straight. There is a vertical and horizontal[1] dimension to alignment. My car and my wheels have to be linked and integrated up, down and across so they move in the same direction. With the tires aligned, I am ready to hit the road (and ideally less curbs) with a vehicle that will run more efficiently.
When it comes to engagement readiness, much like my car and its wheels, having vertical and horizontal alignment of the form engagement will take and the how it will function supports a smoother ride for the organization and, ultimately, the engagement participants.
Alignment clarifies the commitment and expectations of the engagement by creating shared understanding about what success looks like, the scope of the engagement, who will be involved and how they will contribute. Outlined below are key components of an engagement alignment check.
FORM involves alignment between the purpose of the engagement - what needs to be achieved; the people – who’s on board and who else needs to be a part of the work to help achieve the purpose; and policy – the commitments guiding people’s work.
FUNCTION includes the goals of the engagement which are informed by policy and guide the engagement process and plan; the processes that people will apply to implement the engagement plan; and the plan that will enact the engagement purpose.
Exploring alignment as part of a readiness practice helps overcome any potential vertical or horizontal imbalances that might pull the work off track. In other words, being aware of the curbs before leaving the parking lot, helps create clarity, cohesion and consolidation resulting in an aligned engagement approach.
[1] Kathuria, R., Joshi, M.P. and Porth, S.J. (2007). Organizational alignment and performance: past, present and future. Management Decision, Vol. 45 No. 3, pp. 503-517.