Struggle 4: Clashing Priorities

From Clashing Priorities to Shared Vision: Mastering Perspective Alignment

As a leader, you have most definitely experienced this: two teams, each passionately defending their priorities, pulling the organization in opposite directions. Let’s be honest, this is not just frustrating—it is paralyzing for you, for the teams and in the end the whole organisation.

At that moment, you need to realise as a leader:

 “Alignment isn’t about who’s right. It’s about focusing everyone on what’s best.”

To bring conflicting perspectives into alignment, of course you need more than negotiation skills. You need presence, trust, and clarity. 

Let's look at a familiar scenario most leaders will recognise:

Your Product and Sales teams are clashing. Product wants to delay a release for quality assurance. Sales argues it’s a deal breaker for key accounts. Both sides are right—and both are stuck. Recognisable, no?

How to bring realignment in this challenging moment:

• Focus on Shared Vision: 

  
  

  Step back and ask, “What outcome serves the business best?” Reframe the discussion around purpose, not priorities.

  
  

• Surface and Resolve Tension: 

  
  

  Acknowledge the discomfort: “I know this is tough because everyone cares deeply about success.” Trust thrives in honest dialogue.

  
  

• Shift the Frame: 

  
  

  Ask a transformative question: “What are the first 3 steps we can take to address both quality and speed in a way that delivers value?” Invite collaboration, never compromise – as the latter is always loose-loose for all parties.

Remember, diverse perspectives are an asset when leaders align them toward a bigger vision.

Presence brings clarity, trust builds bridges, and great questions drive solutions.