Most relationships end, not instantly. They gradually die over time. Less and less attention is paid to the details. We forget what the mission of the relationship was about. Rarely, if ever, do we enter into a relationship because it is about us. Oftentimes, it is because we have found someone who sees the vision that we see for life, and we, together, believe that we can change the world together.
Most organizations don’t fail because people don’t care. They fail because mission, vision, and action slowly drift apart. The mission lives on the wall. The vision lives in the retreat binder.
But the calendar and budget tell a different story. When systems don’t reinforce what you say matters, relationships begin to fade, and impact goes astray. I learned this the hard way. I have fought this fight while leading a school district, a congregation, and a family.
Alignment is not inspiration. Alignment is structure. Alignment is the trellis that allows sweet grapes grow safely. No alignment? No structures? No fruit.
More soon.
