Most Executive Teams assume that employees are connected to the company’s vision statement because it’s shared in Town Halls and on intranet documents. But the big mistake that executive teams make is assuming that employees know how to apply that vision statement to how they communicate, collaborate, and make decisions daily.
Having a compelling mission and vision statement matters because the entire organization needs to know where the company headed and why it’s headed that way. In essence, a vision is a common purpose, a powerful workplace motivator if used well. When applied in an organizational setting, a vision guides the collective movement of Executive and non-executive leadership alike.
Executive teams are responsible for setting the organization’s vision, and they should be able to draw a direct connection between that vision and the decisions they make. Effective teams then take the time to explain the how and why of a decision to the entire organization, demonstrating the connection to that vision. This teaches the rest of the organization how to draw on their relationship to the greater vision when making their own decisions, thus moving the entire organization towards the collective goal.
For example, if a biotech company has a vision of being the leading provider of gene-sequencing equipment, the executives may decide to discontinue investment in other research areas. This decision and the clear link to the vision models the proper course for employees working on items counterproductive to the business strategy. It gives them direction to course-correct their day to day actions. When employees at every level are clear about the company’s WHY, they can make better decisions that move the company faster toward the goal.
It’s crucial for leaders and teams to know and come back to a very compelling, specific, and concise vision – the why and where we are headed. Vision is the crucial first step to aligning the organization’s culture with its business strategy.
So how else can you make sure everyone is working towards the same purpose?
Executive Team Alignment
Here are 5 things Executive teams can do to align culture with strategy:
- Give the big picture strategy to every employee
Share a complete overview of the company’s strategy with every employee. Invite questions so that people can see, take ownership of, and become invested in achieving success together.
- Get the right people in the right roles
Learn the strengths of your team with a diagnostic such as CliftonStrengths. Leading from your strengths will help you to get things done productively, so shift responsibilities accordingly. This will help team members to provide a greater contribution to the company’s goals and feel more invested in its success.
- Choose the right milestones
Define short and long-term measurable outcomes for each step of the process. Prioritize each person’s objectives by clearly defining which pieces of the overall business strategy are most critical for their role.
- Communicate often
Schedule regular town halls and one-on-one meetings with team leads and employees. Ask what challenges they are facing and what tools they may need to do their best work to achieve the company’s goals.
- Be willing to adapt
Invest resources into the executive leadership and teams who feel empowered and motivated by their roles and the responsibilities they have. Your best players may even have better ideas on achieving your strategic goals; be ready to adapt your strategy not just based on the competitive environment but also on your people.
For more information on how to empower your employees, review our programs and contact us today!
Below, you can Watch Ziksana’s Founder, Akshay Sateesh, discuss how to make sure everyone on your team is working towards the same purpose.
