This chapters reflection questions lead you through applying the alignment framework to your own organization. The intention is to increase mindfulness about how your own organizational system works, allowing you to compare it with others you encounter. We will refer to your business, but you can adapt the questions to a not-for-profit organization, to a business unit or department within a larger business, or any other organizational unit. 1. Internal alignment a. Structure: What are the key elements of your structure? How much hierarchy is there? How centralized is decision-making? Who has power (which positions or roles)? b. Tasks/Work Systems: What is the main set of tasks or work system? How is this work organized? For example, what kind of interdependence is required, and how complex are the tasks? What professional skills and knowledge do they require? c. People: What are the main skill sets and areas of expertise that people currently have? What are some patterns of personal values? Think about the key people in power and decision-making roles what are their likely motivations and priorities? d. Culture and Systems: How would you characterize the organizational culture? What are some dominant guiding values? How strong is the organizational culture? On what basis is performance measured and rewarded? What other systems are particularly important in guiding decision-making and action? e. Alignment: How well-aligned are the elements of the organization? Where are the strongest alignments, where are there gaps? Whats the cause of the gaps (e.g., labor shortage, new regulations for tasks, organizational restructuring, new business planning system for the company?