What is Almost Aligned?

“Almost Aligned” describes the illusion of alignment—when teams or leaders appear to agree on strategy at the surface level but hold differing assumptions, definitions, or priorities beneath. It feels like alignment in the room, but it doesn’t translate into consistent execution in the field.

How do I know if we're Almost Aligned?

You might be Almost Aligned if:

Everyone nods in agreement during meetings, but execution varies widely.

Leadership believes the narrative is clear, but teams struggle to repeat it.

Strategic initiatives or launches slow down due to “last-mile” disagreements no one anticipated.

Why does Almost Aligned matter?

Because it's costly—and common. Almost Aligned teams waste energy reworking plans, revisiting decisions, and revising messaging that should’ve been clear from the start. The gap between perceived alignment and actual alignment leads to what I call the Misalignment Cascade, ultimately creating friction, frustration, and what I define as the Misalignment Tax—the hidden cost of unclear direction.

Symptoms you can feel in your meetings:

Leadership offsites that fail to turn strategy into action

Initiatives that feel stuck in “the middle”

Repetitive cycles of planning without progress

The goal isn’t just to align on what’s said in the room—but to ensure the alignment holds when you leave it.