Over the weekend I read Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. It sites Stephen Covey’s The 8th Habit and a poll of 23,000 employees drawn from a number of companies and industries. Evidently only 37% said they have a clear understanding of what their organization is trying to achieve and why. Covey applies this ratio to a soccer team which would mean only 4 of 11 players on the field would know which goal is theirs.
Let’s take that one step further. Even if 90% of the team has a clear understanding of what the organization is trying achieve and why, there is still 1 player on the field that does not know which goal is his/hers. That’s a scary thought no matter who it is. Let’s hope it’s not the goalie!
Revisit the answers to the questions in the Round Canoe blog and consider the consequences if even one key player can’t articulate what the organization is trying to achieve and why. It’s time to get aligned!