Adam, from assembleyou, was kind enough to invite me onto their Power Skills Project podcast a couple of weeks ago. It would be very rare to find people who don't work in teams, across the departments and quite often when we have a conversation with somebody, we have an objective in mind, from deciding where to go to lunch all the way to negotiating resources for a project. However, do they get what they want? Do the people they are speaking to get what they want?
In this latest article, learn about the concept of alignment in relationship management and its importance in various business interactions. Discover how to establish alignment through effective communication, active listening, and understanding cultural nuances. Build bridges of trust and create clarity to achieve successful outcomes. Listen, watch the media or read the transcript below to get practical examples and understand the tips on what this means in practice.
Links mentioned in the article:
https://www.strategicdigitalbusinesspartner.com/blog/our-blog-1/post/assembleyou-podcast-alignment-6
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Summary
In this conversation from the Power Skills Project podcast, Adam Lacey interviews Jon Baxter about the concept of alignment in relationship management. Jon Baxter is a strategic partnerships expert who has been working in the UK for the past four years, focusing on bridging the gap between organizations' current state and their desired future state. He emphasizes the importance of alignment in conversations and describes it as a process of getting on the same page with the other person and ensuring that both parties have a shared understanding.
Jon explains that alignment is crucial for various business interactions such as sales pitches, engaging internal stakeholders, and forming partnerships. Without alignment, these interactions can be ineffective or lead to misunderstandings. He compares alignment to traffic lanes on a bridge, facilitating the smooth flow of information and preventing crashes in communication.
The conversation delves into the techniques for achieving alignment, including active listening, creating space for reflection and feedback, and asking the right questions. Jon also highlights the significance of understanding cultural differences, personal agendas, and individual communication styles when gauging alignment. He notes that alignment is an iterative process that requires ongoing effort and building trust over time.
Adam and Jon discuss the challenges of uncovering genuine alignment, particularly in situations where people may be polite or non-committal. They emphasize the need to read between the lines, observe body language and facial expressions, and develop a deeper understanding of the individuals involved to uncover their true thoughts and intentions.
The conversation concludes by highlighting the nuanced nature of alignment as a soft skill that can be honed through practice and experience. Building bridges of trust and understanding with others allows for better alignment and more effective communication. They also mention the importance of establishing common facts and values as part of the alignment process.
Overall, the discussion provides insights into the significance of alignment in relationship management and offers practical strategies for achieving alignment in conversations and business interactions.
