Keywords

line of sight (LOS), employee alignment, strategic human resources, human capital, strategic goals

Abstract

Aligning employees with the firm’s larger strategic goals is critical if organizations hope to manage their human capital effectively and ultimately attain strategic success. An important component of attaining and sustaining this alignment is for employees to have a bline of sightQ (LOS) with their organization’s strategic objectives. In this article, we illustrate how the translation of calculated firm goals into tangible results requires that employees not only understand the organization’s strategy, but also accurately appreciate what actions are aligned with realizing that strategy. Using recent empirical evidence, theoretical insights, and tangible examples of exemplary firm practices, we provide thought-leaders with a comprehensive view of LOS by showing how it can be created, how it can be enhanced or stifled, and how it can be effectively managed. Further, we integrate LOS with current thinking on employee alignment to help managers more effectively benefit from understanding human capital potential.

Original Publication Citation

"Aligning employees through line of sight", Business Horizons, 2006

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2006

Publisher

Business Horizons

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Included in

Marketing Commons

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