The illusion of alignment
ashmann.co
The illusion of alignment
To get through the tension, try to understand other people's positions and perceptions: How does this mess look to them? What does their mental model look like? What words do they use? Could your language mislead them? Do they agree with the intent, direction, and goals you outlined? Do they agree on the level you're working at?
Abby Covert • How to Make Sense of Any Mess: Information Architecture for Everybody
We need to treat alignment not as a prerequisite, but as a process. “Getting it” isn’t a static quality—it’s a product of access, timing, exposure, and experience.
One method is to design for shared sensemaking. That might mean narrating your mental model instead of assuming it’s obvious. It might mean making space for dissent even when time feels... See more
One method is to design for shared sensemaking. That might mean narrating your mental model instead of assuming it’s obvious. It might mean making space for dissent even when time feels... See more
Article
“Almost always, when I look at a team or project at a larger org trying to make a decision with differences in opinions, the root of those differences almost always starts with shared context,” Weiss says. “Or lack thereof.”
The first step to identifying if your team is lacking shared context is to ask yourself a series of questions, Weiss says.... See more
The first step to identifying if your team is lacking shared context is to ask yourself a series of questions, Weiss says.... See more
firstround.com • How to Take Bigger, Bolder Product Bets — Lessons From Slack’s Chief Product Officer
Alignment Debt: Same Room, Different Movies
It happens in boardrooms all the time. Everyone nods and leaves the room confidently. Yet weeks later, each leader advances in different directions.
At one tech company, the leadership team committed to a seemingly clear goal: "improve customer satisfaction." Everyone agreed it was a critical priority, but... See more
It happens in boardrooms all the time. Everyone nods and leaves the room confidently. Yet weeks later, each leader advances in different directions.
At one tech company, the leadership team committed to a seemingly clear goal: "improve customer satisfaction." Everyone agreed it was a critical priority, but... See more