Define the Win and Execute - A Conversation with Traci Austin

A Leadership Beyond

Define the win, align to people strategy, and execute!

Simple and easy are not synonymous. It is easy to understand that aligning individual goals to the business goals of the organization is a win-win for both. And it might seem a simple activity to clearly define the win at every level and for every worker in the organization.

Simple, yes, and equally hard to implement and sustain. There is no magic wand.

Why is this so challenging? Well, because we are human, of course. We may have one vision through our organizational lenses, yet every individual, small group, and business unit is unique.

This is why A Leadership Beyond is a big fan of leveraging people data to align differing behaviors, drives, and needs at the individual, team, and enterprise level.

Common language and common vision lead to aligned strategy of business and people—and that equals better results.

We were thrilled to have Traci Ausin as our guest. Traci is an experienced HR leader with a blueprint for executing Talent Optimization and cascading the benefits throughout the organization.

raci helps the various functions see the big picture and align; and the big picture thinkers see the impact of aligning better with the functions. Organizational health and effectiveness depend on intentional leadership alignment. Everyone must speak the same language and see the same picture. This does not make it easy, but it does make true alignment possible as well as scalable.

In this episode you can expect to glean insights on:

• Misalignment on goals: Traci highlights the challenge of not knowing what "winning" looks like at different levels of the organization, from the executive leadership team to individual teams. This lack of clarity can lead to inefficiencies and frustration among employees.
• Importance of communication: Traci emphasizes the need for effective cross-functional communication to ensure everyone understands organizational goals and how their work contributes to achieving them. This includes aligning HR strategies with overall business objectives.
• Leadership and culture: Traci discusses the significance of leadership in fostering a culture that supports organizational goals. She provides examples of how leaders can inspire and engage employees by tying their work to the company's mission and values.
• Performance management: Traci outlines a comprehensive performance management approach that aligns individual goals with team and organizational objectives. This includes using a common language, such as core values, to drive behavior and reinforce desired outcomes.
• Balancing policies and people-first approach: Traci addresses the challenge of balancing HR policies and benefits plans with a people-first approach. She suggests addressing employees' needs and concerns while still holding them accountable for meeting performance expectations.
• Enabling employees: Traci advocates for understanding employees' needs and providing them with the support and resources to succeed. This includes coaching employees to articulate their requests effectively and aligning their priorities with organizational goals.

Overall, Traci emphasizes the importance of aligning people strategies with business objectives, fostering a culture of accountability and communication, and empowering employees to contribute to organizational success.

Thank you once again for your engagement and continued support. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing this journey of learning, growth and building leadership resilience together.

A Leadership Beyond is led by Change Management Consultant Adrienne Guerrero and Leadership Communication Strategist Tom Rosenak, and exists to support the alignment between business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

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As always, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us at https://aleadershipbeyond.com.