The Power of Alignment

by George Labovitz

The Power of Alignment Misaligned companies, like cars out of alignment, can develop serious problems if not corrected quickly. They are hard to steer and don’t respond well to changes in direction. This groundbreaking book shows you how to get—and keep—all the vital elements of your organization aligned and headed in the same direction at the same time. Managers must now keep their people centered in the midst of change, deemphasize hierarchy, and distribute leadership by distributing authority, information, knowledge, and customer data throughout their organization. Alignment is a response to the new business reality where customer requirements are in flux, where competitive forces are turbulent, and where the bond of loyalty between an organization and its people has been weakened. The old linear approach to management has given way to one of simultaneity—to alignment. As pioneers of the alignment concept, the authors have developed this unique approach based on their work with leading companies throughout the world. The Power of Alignment is packed with war stories and the firsthand perspectives of industry leaders. You’ll learn how world-class organizations, including Federal Express, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Columbia/HCA Healthcare, Citizens Utilities, AirTouch, and UNUM achieved extraordinary business results. Now, through the authors’ expertise, you’ll see how alignment can work for your organization. In essence, alignment links the five key elements of an organization—people, process, customers, business strategies, and, of course, leadership—to obtain breakthrough results, chief among them, sustained growth and profit, loyal customers, and a high-performing work force. The Power of Essential reading for all managers and executives, The Power of Alignment offers a new way to reestablish focus and sustained energy, and is a dynamic approach for staying balanced and achieving extraordinary levels of performance.

Genres: Business, Leadership

Hardcover

First published May 19, 1997

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good framework. I read this two months ago really quickly and then read it again, because I hadn't given it enough attention the first time. It's a clear framework for business strategy and its accessible. I recommend this for anyone who wants to understand this way of approaching business strategy.

[Carlos González De Cosío V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely more than just a good read. It's a manual. it's a guide. Even though he gives examples of specific settings, you can pretty much apply to any business. It is written couple of years ago, but I do believe that it would stance the test of time because humans we are so predictable and repetitive on mistakes it's just human nature. This book is pretty good about pointing them out. Really liked it and recommended 100%

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into 4 arenas where Alignment happens. Being deliberate about all being ideal.

Even more helpful, was seeing how I (and other individuals) tend to pick one of the four. Further, this can be seen in the major schools of thought coming out of the more-top business schools these days.

Great book for any upper-manager or leader.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ JUN 2012

Nice framework for understanding organizational alignment. Best quotes, "alignment can be thought of as both a noun and a verb--a state of being and a set of actions" (p. 5) and "you simply cannot arrive at alignment without leadership, nor can you sustain alignment in its absence" (p. 169).

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one interesting although it is somewhat of an older book. Many of the principles I agree with and I found quite a few interesting subjects discussed that I was unaware of. I did wish that they would have used some of the bigger moving companies (of the 90's) for their subject matter. Another one down and many more to go.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, yet effective, way of approaching business strategy that we've used in our company for the last several years.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

My copy is signed by the author.

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

The four cardinals of alignment in the simplest form.