The power of organisational alignment
In the Vistage LIVE episode, Ron Schwartz—founder of Brass Tax and expert in business transformation—dives into the power of organisational alignment and why it should be every leader’s top priority.
Organisational alignment is more than a management buzzword. Ron explains that when roles, goals, and decision rights are clear, businesses move faster, teams collaborate better, and strategy turns into execution. Conversely, when alignment is missing, confusion grows, accountability blurs, and results suffer.
To help leaders identify gaps, Ron outlines 5 key questions that reveal whether an organisation is truly aligned. He stresses that mid-sized companies often underestimate this discipline, assuming alignment happens naturally. In reality, alignment requires constant attention and deliberate leadership.
Two critical areas stand out:
- Management systems that support alignment: Without scalable processes, organisations get stuck in inefficiency and mixed signals. Strong systems create consistency and transparency.
- Aligning talent with goals and decision rights: Every person must know what they own, what decisions they can make, and how success is measured. Alignment ensures people don’t just work hard, but work in the same direction.
Ron highlights that organisational alignment drives both growth and resilience. In times of change or crisis, aligned teams act decisively and adapt quickly. In steady times, alignment sustains momentum and prevents stagnation.
Most importantly, he reminds leaders that alignment is not a one-off project—it’s an ongoing commitment. By clarifying roles, defining decision rights, and uniting people behind shared goals, leaders unlock the true potential of their organisation.
If you want a business where people move together with clarity and purpose, this episode shows why organisational alignment is the ultimate competitive advantage.
