Amplify Impact with Alignment
July 27, 2023 | By David M. Wagner
“Does anyone have any allergies?” a server asked a table of diners.
“Oh, yes,” one patron piped up. “Cats.”
This anecdote (hat tip to this Twitter find from my fiancée) shows the confusion that can arise from even slight misalignment between individuals. The same word (“allergies”) can mean slightly different things (food allergies vs. any type of allergy).
Now imagine how poor alignment could affect your organization.
A funder offers support for services they (incorrectly) assume you provide. You and a team member disagree about the scope of their role. Partner organizations differ with you on appropriate priorities for their resources.
The Sensitivity of Amplifiers
Being on a different page than your stakeholders can undercut your mission effectiveness.
The same is true for amplifiers (like guitar amps).
Amplifiers use a loop that constantly adds copies of an input signal onto itself, producing a much higher-power output signal – a “louder” version of the original.
The loop only works if the copies of the signal in the amplifier are aligned. Perfectly overlapping signals amplify each other. But shift one copy just a little, and the output will get jumbled and may even be quieter than the original (which is how noise-cancelling headphones work).
When we’re not all on the same page, the message gets confused – or lost.
Creating Alignment
Now imagine your organization with alignment.
You and your stakeholders have the same understanding about your organization’s mission, vision, strategy, and priorities. Your team is on the same page concerning their roles. You and your partners act together with a shared set of priorities.
Think about the impact you could achieve from getting everyone pulling in the same direction, instead of at cross purposes.
There are three keys to creating this alignment.
1. Adjust. You may face resistance trying to get others to amplify your goals. You’ll have much more success if you and your stakeholders are pursuing the same goals. Persuading others to join your cause may require you to be open to changing your own aims. This does not always mean a compromise is required – authentically engaging stakeholders can foster shared commitment to a plan, even in the absence of consensus.
2. Share. Having found common ground, make sure everyone knows. For strategic plans, that might mean widely publishing your vision or action plan. It can be announcements or education about your programs. It can mean sharing (rather than hiding) difficult decisions.
3. Repeat. Remember the amplifier – it works by repeating the same signal in a constant loop. Consistently repeat your message using all the tools at your disposal like your website, newsletter, stakeholder calls, and team meetings. The more often you communicate, the more likely others will understand and embrace your message.
Don’t let misalignment undercut your effectiveness as an organization. Get everyone on the same page – and keep them there! – to amplify your mission impact. Schedule a free consultation for guidance on how to adjust, share, and repeat your message.