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Alignment also applies to the fit between people and organization: When it is possible for individuals to satisfy their own personal and professional goals by doing exactly what it is that the organization needs them to do, there is alignment between people and organization. A win-win situation is created in which each individual's success contributes to the success of the whole and vice versa.
In order to succeed, individuals first need to know what's expected of them and then to have the skills and abilities, resources and support to be able to fulfill those expectations. Next, they need to know that, when they do accomplish those things, they will be rewarded in ways that are personally valued and meaningful to them.
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These needs align nicely with the requirements of the organization. Shared Purpose provides individuals with the sense that they are contributing to a meaningful enterprise, which, for many, is rewarding in itself. Shared Purpose is also the foundation for organizational clarity about mission, direction and strategy.
Clear organizational Goals provide the basis for group and individual goals, which are especially motivating when individuals help to generate these for themselves and their units. Goals can be tied effectively to rewards that are valued by individuals, e.g., increased autonomy, awards and recognition, in addition to monetary rewards.
Clearly defined Roles, which include well thought out work processes, specified standards of quality, skill requirements, problem-solving and decision-making practices, translate into job requirements that match individual talents and support collaborative relationships within and across groups.
Finally, Practices provide the performance support systems that enable individual competence: Clearly defined and communicated expectations, routine coaching and feedback, and opportunities for development enable individual success as well as accomplishing the goals of the organization.
When all of these elements are Aligned, each individual can feel fully committed to the success of the entire enterprise; that kind of commitment leads, in turn, to enhanced practices, as each person is willing to contribute creatively and collaboratively. In this way, alignment becomes self-perpetuating, allowing the organization to fully concentrate on achieving its business objectives.
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