Comment and Question

Tom, I enjoyed your presentation about releasing human potential at our meeting several weeks ago. In your last email you indicated that there is a big difference between teamwork and alignment. Can you explain further as we are big on teambuilding.

C. B.

Answer

C. B. There are many well intended consequences from teambuilding initiatives. Teamwork and Alignment are both “content” or behavioral WORK within any organization or business. Teamwork is generally activated to accomplish a “linear time” goal or objective but once the goal is achieved, the WORK of the Team can quickly dissipate or disband. This happens because no-one is directly compensated for the WORK of the Team and when the “time” expires, everyone goes back to their normal “job” assignments for which they are directly compensated. Thus, teambuilding initiatives often require bonus compensation strategies and constant reactivation.

Alignment is behavior to fulfill a “purpose” or a “principle.” This behavior is everyone's ROLE in any business. A “purpose” or “principle” is a constant and never expires. It resides in what is called “real time.” For example, the 50 States are aligned to fulfill freedom in our country. Our freedom always exists. The States do not need to execute “teamwork” to preserve freedom. Alignment is therefore the “energy field” between the functional entities that is demanded by a purpose or principle. Membership in an organization is an alignment issue. The principle or purpose that creates the alignment is deeply imbedded in the organization and survives many years and generations of allegiance and dedication to service. The execution of a principle is generally the “fulfillment” associated with WORK and seldom requires any tangible compensation strategy.

So what is causing our business environment to shift dramatically from “teamwork” to the sustainability of “alignment?” The answer is INTEGRITY. As customers, we are now in charge of our own buying experience. We have many choices as to where to buy anything. We don’t have to buy a General Motors car. The defining criteria for choosing where to buy anything is INTEGRITY of PURPOSE. If the company is not internally aligned to execute the PURPOSE of the business --- if it is just there to maximize shareholder value or gain market share, all good “linear” and “measurable” teambuilding goals from the past --- customers will sense it and the end will be sudden and often deadly. Great Leaders like Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, Walt Disney and Howard Schultz were known for the deep sense of PURPOSE that served as the sustainable foundation for their businesses.

There are many dimensions to this issue that are described in the attachment. The most important one is the shift from “linear time” to “real time.” The “real time” revolution is here to stay and every company must MASTER “Real Time” Alignment in order to meet the challenge of NOW. Teamwork was a “nice” thing to do but when the “linear time” requirement expired, everyone knew it was not a strategic imperative. “Alignment” is now a strategic imperative of every company and organization. The “real time” nature of alignment is so dramatically different from teambuilding that it must be Simulated in order to enroll everyone in the commitment that is required. The Simulation is also illustrated in this YouTube video. The next Open Simulation is scheduled for May 28-29 at the Medallion Club here in Columbus, Ohio. For information concerning enrollment. give me a call or return email.

C. B. I hope this helps to explain the enormous difference.