What do you do if your boss's objectives and priorities don't align with your strengths and skills?

It is mission-critical to be aligned within the organization on direction - without clear alignment with the boss one can never be successful - this does not mean you follow blindly... Healthy debate is good but at the end of the day you must agree.

Remember that alignment is not consensus or agreement. Alignment is the commitment from all team members to move together when a decision is taken and communicated.

It's really important that there is a two way communication happening between you and your boss. Try to have a monthly performance review with your boss. If the boss not initiating this review, then please tell your boss that you want a one on one session with your boss. Prepare what are the areas you are going to cover in three different areas. First area is your own priorities, goals etc. Secondly, list down your bosses priorities. And thirdly, list down your organisation's goals or vision. Then, assess how much your's and your boss's priorities are aligned with the organisations's priorities.

Utilize approaches such as personalized workflow, skill-matching models, and resource allocation to address the issue. Implement performance analysis and continuous improvement to maximize efficiency and support your boss's goals to the fullest.

When my boss's objectives and my strengths don't match, it's vital to recognize the gap. I once found myself in this situation. My boss emphasized rapid expansion, while my forte lay in optimizing existing processes. By acknowledging the misalignment, I initiated a candid conversation with my boss. We discussed my strengths and how they could contribute to our shared goals. This led to a more nuanced understanding, allowing us to find common ground and leverage my skills effectively within the team.

Firstly, let your boss speak and you must listen to them. Make sure there is mutual respect and empathy. Make sure that you communicate effectively that how your priorities are matching with the organisation's priorities. Communicate what you are going to do in order to achieve these goals. Also ask your boss what he/she can contribute to your objectives. Secondly ask your boss, how his/her priorities are matching with the organisation's vision. Listen to them. It's important. You should also be curious. Ask them if you need more clarity or need more support. also let them know if you face any difficulties in aligning with their objective. No need to hesitate to seek help. The whole communication should be for mutual benefit

After identifying the gap, effective communication with my boss becomes crucial. In a similar scenario, I proactively scheduled a meeting with my supervisor to discuss the misalignment. During the conversation, I highlighted my strengths and how they could complement the team's objectives. By presenting concrete examples and potential solutions, I demonstrated my commitment to achieving our shared goals. This open dialogue fostered mutual understanding and paved the way for a collaborative approach to address the situation.

1+1 is not equal to 2. It's more than 2. This is the impact of team work. If all the team members are aligned towards same goals, then great things cn be achieved. While this is not in your hand completely even though you can contribute to get self aligned to the organisational goals. Make sure your priorities and objectives are well embroidered within the organisation’s fabric.

Once the gap is communicated, adapting and learning are essential. In my experience, after discussing the misalignment with my boss, I focused on learning new skills that could bridge the gap. I sought out relevant training opportunities and took on challenging projects outside my comfort zone. By embracing this proactive approach, I not only expanded my skill set but also demonstrated flexibility and resilience to my team. This adaptability enabled me to contribute more effectively to our shared objectives and grow professionally in the process.

When faced with a gap between my skills and my boss's objectives, leveraging my network proved invaluable. I reached out to colleagues and mentors who possessed complementary strengths or had faced similar challenges. Through insightful conversations and collaborative brainstorming sessions, I gained fresh perspectives and practical advice on how to navigate the situation effectively. By tapping into my network, I not only received valuable support but also strengthened professional relationships, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within my team.

Assessing my options to address the gap is crucial. In a past situation, I meticulously evaluated various approaches to bridge the misalignment between my skills and my boss's objectives. I weighed the pros and cons of each option, considering factors such as feasibility, impact, and alignment with long-term goals. This comprehensive evaluation process allowed me to make informed decisions and choose the most effective strategy to cope with the gap. By taking a thoughtful and strategic approach, I was able to navigate the challenge effectively and contribute meaningfully to our shared objectives.

In my humble opinion, Discuss with your boss how your skills and strengths can support the team's objectives. Seek potential adjustments to align priorities or explore tasks where your abilities shine. Maintain an open dialogue, be flexible, and collaborate to find solutions that benefit both your contributions and the team's goals.

Unfortunately if you cannot agree on the way forward and you cannot adapt it maybe the signal to find another department / division or unfortunately company. The focus and effort must be on transforming the business and not wasting continuous energy on fighting upward

- Proposez des solutions : Proposez des solutions alternatives qui pourraient mieux correspondre à vos compétences et forces. Identifiez des projets ou des taches où vous pourriez apporter une grande valeur ajoutée - Développez vos compétences : Si vous identifiez des lacunes dans vos compétences par rapport aux objectifs de votre patron, envisagez de suivre des formations ou de développer de nouvelles compétences pour mieux répondre aux besoins de l'entreprise. - Soyez ouvert au changement : Gardez l'esprit ouvert et soyez prêt à vous adapter aux nouvelles priorités et objectifs de l'organisation. La flexibilité et l'adaptabilité sont des qualités importantes dans un environnement professionnel en constante évolution.