This week, I’m trying something new.

If you’ve read my first two issues, you’ve seen a mix of reflections, insights, tips, resources, and news. But early feedback suggests this might simply be too much.

For Issue #3, I’m experimenting with a sharper, more focused format designed to deliver the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time.

The goal? Just one big idea that can help inspire you or your organization to work a little differently.

At the end of this email, there’s a quick poll to share your preference. If you missed the earlier issues, you can find them here:

• ​Issue #1: Welcome to DJG Marketing Insights​
• ​Issue #2: Signal Amplification Bias​

The Hidden Bottleneck

The “messy middle” of middle management gets plenty of attention—and rightfully so. These leaders are the bridge between vision and execution, strategy and action. (And frankly, they’re often the unsung heroes.)

But let’s step back for a moment.

What if the real bottleneck to success isn’t in the middle—but at the very top?

Senior leadership teams define the vision, culture, and pace of an organization. When they’re aligned, everything flows with clarity, energy, and focus. But when they’re out of sync, the ripple effects compound into waves of inefficiency, disengagement, and frustration, slowing progress at every level.

For the last eight years, I worked in the messy middle at a large, complex university. I’ve seen firsthand how senior leadership alignment—or lack thereof—can shape an organization’s trajectory.

Here’s how weaknesses at the top impact your organization—and how to address them.

1. A Vision Isn’t Enough Without Clarity

A strong vision is table stakes, but without clear communication, it’s wasted. Teams thrive when they understand exactly how their work ladders up to larger goals.

Example Misstep: A leadership team announces a new strategic priority but provides no actionable guidance. Teams misinterpret the vision, leading to misaligned efforts.

Fix It: Build structured forums for cascading clarity—whether through all-staff meetings, manager-specific briefings, or task forces that bridge strategy and execution.

2. Culture Mirrors Leadership

People emulate what they see. If the senior team operates in silos or doesn’t model the organization’s values, cracks spread quickly.

Example Misstep: Leaders emphasize collaboration but rarely practice it themselves, reinforcing silos instead of breaking them down.

Fix It: Model the behavior you want to see. If transparency is a core value, share challenges and decision-making frameworks openly.

3. The Ripple Effect of Inconsistent Communication

When communication at the top isn’t cohesive, middle managers become interpreters instead of enablers. The result? Mixed messages, conflicting priorities, and unnecessary stress.

Example Misstep: One VP tells a team to prioritize a project, while another VP tells a different team to de-prioritize it. The mixed signals frustrate teams and create bottlenecks.

Fix It: Commit to alignment through pre-meeting syncs, shared dashboards, and concise weekly summaries that clarify organizational priorities.

4. Small Problems Become Big Waves

A senior leadership team’s inability to tackle small alignment issues early can result in larger organizational dysfunctions down the line. These issues might show up as disengaged staff, poor performance metrics, or higher turnover rates.

Example Misstep: A lack of alignment on a seemingly minor decision, like how teams should report progress, results in inefficiencies that compound over months.

Fix It: Perform quarterly “pulse checks” on alignment to ensure all senior leaders are on the same page about goals, progress, and roadblocks.

TAKE ACTION

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1. Ask Two Key Questions:
   • Do all senior leaders agree on the organization’s top 3 priorities for the next 90 days?
   • Can each leader articulate how their team’s efforts contribute to those goals?
2. Observe Team Behavior:
   • Look for communication or collaboration breakdowns. Trace these issues back to the top to get at the root cause.
3. Engage Your Leadership Team:
   • Host a 1-hour alignment meeting to clarify messaging, address silos, and reinforce shared values.

Bringing It All Home

Senior leadership isn’t just about setting direction—it’s about clearing the path for others to succeed. Strong teams at the top lay the groundwork for middle managers and frontline employees to thrive.

I hope this week's issue inspires you to reflect on how alignment at the top might be shaping your organization’s success. When leadership gets it right, everyone benefits.

That's all for today. See you next week!

P.S. Your feedback matters. Please take a moment to answer the poll below.

P.P.S. As promised in my LinkedIn posts earlier this week, I’ve put together a list of 100 AI-Powered Prompts for advancement and nonprofit professionals. These prompts are designed to inspire creativity and efficiency. You can download the list here!​

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