A lack of strategic alignment is more common than you might think in the corporate environment, and the problems it causes are also more common. Even small businesses need to develop a plan so that the company can sustain itself financially and grow.

But when it comes to alignment, failing to develop strategies leads to rework, communication failures, conflicts and the company’s inability to achieve the desired results.

What is strategic alignment?

First of all, it is necessary to understand what this concept is, and why it is so important in companies. When we think of a factory, the production line follows the various stages of manufacturing and each one will only be possible after the previous one is completed, that is, the processes are synchronized.

This synchronization must also be applied to all areas of a company, as none of them works alone. This means establishing strategies for each segment, and also for the organization in general.

When a company wants to launch a product, for example, the entire organization is involved: manufacturers or suppliers, purchasing and sales department, marketing, finance, etc.

However, if teams are not aligned, it is possible that, during the process of creating a new product, one area will spend more than expected, or another will not have enough time to promote it correctly.

Strategic alignment allows the company to plan and set goals to manage teams.

Understand the main characteristics of this concept:

Clear goals and objectives

When there is good strategic planning, each employee and team understands their role in the whole and the importance of what they do for the company to achieve its goals. This means they also have better tools to measure their efforts and assess whether their performance is contributing to this purpose.

When there is no clarity in this aspect, professionals have difficulty prioritizing tasks, measuring results and evaluating the efficiency of activities.

Good communication between teams

Each department has its own functions and goals, and if they don’t communicate, they end up not being able to work together. But, thinking about the example of the factory, one invariably needs the other, so maintaining good communication ensures that the teams are aligned and work together.

If this does not happen, more than one team may perform a given task, or numbers may become inconsistent and deadlines may not be met.

Engagement and teamwork

This lack of objectivity and communication when carrying out tasks can have a negative impact on employee engagement. By losing focus on what is really important, people also lose motivation, and conflicts can begin to arise.

Furthermore, teamwork ceases to be a priority and employees do not talk or propose efficient solutions.

Decision making

How can you make assertive decisions if you don’t have a clearly defined objective? The company needs to publicize and promote its strategies so that everyone is aware of what needs to be done and is able to make decisions in line with this plan.

How to deal with a lack of strategic alignment?

The creation and dissemination of strategies is related to the planning, objectives and mission of the organization itself and it is often difficult to make changes from lower positions.

But whether in leadership or any other role, professionals can do their part to prevent this lack of alignment from preventing them from continuing to develop and do good work.

Here’s how to deal with a lack of strategic alignment at work:

Improve communication

If the company does not have a feedback culture , or managers seem inaccessible, the ideal is to start with colleagues and seek support from other professionals to align expectations and ensure everyone’s collaboration on projects.

If possible, discussing these issues with leaders can also yield positive results.

Set clear goals

Try to create clear goals for yourself or for the department. Create deadlines, establish processes, and set priorities. If this lack of alignment is a problem for one person, it is likely to happen to others, so try to bring the team together and, within the space you can control, define parameters that will help everyone in the progress of activities.

Be organized

When there is no efficient management, it is common for tasks to not be controlled and planned as they should be. Therefore, creating your own plan in a diary, having a personal schedule and a to-do list with priorities can help you continue to perform your role.

Seek new knowledge

Changing this reality and creating a culture of planning may not be easy, but the more prepared professionals are, the more capable they will be of proposing and implementing changes. In addition to standing out and allowing them to reach leadership positions, it will also make them ready to seek more strategic positions in the market.