Strategies for Alignment

Leaders are often challenged to flex between leading their department – such as Marketing, Human Resources, or IT – and being a team member within their peer group. In other words, how do you balance the priorities of the team you lead with the priorities of the team you are on?  

Keep Your Team Aligned with Company Goals

It’s important to remember the team you are on comes first, since it manages the strategies and priorities at a higher level. Yet it’s still hard to balance the priorities.

As a vice president of marketing, it was important that the marketing initiatives were executed flawlessly – the team was proud of the performance – but there were times when the company’s strategic initiatives would not necessarily place marketing as its top priority.  As an executive, it’s important to put the company’s strategies first and align your departmental responsibilities as appropriate. 

As a leader of your team, lead the execution of the specific initiatives, however, keep the department aligned with the company goals, especially when those goals are focused in other areas.  

Support the Entire Team

We sometimes we get so focused in our department of responsibility that when a peer is having an issue, we disconnect. We view that as THEIR problem, not ours, when it should be exactly the opposite.  If there is a peer that is struggling, that’s the time to get behind them and prop them up.  As a peer leader, take the time to ask: “How can I help?  What can I do to support this initiative?” 

Take care of your peer group, build those relationships, and execute the strategies of your department.