The Hidden Risk of Misalignment (and How I Learned to Watch for It)

I’ve come to believe that most team dysfunctions can be traced back to one overlooked problem: misalignment.

Not bad attitudes. Not lack of skill. Misalignment.

Over the years, I’ve led small teams inside big institutions—designers, faculty, advisors, support staff—all trying to move meaningful work forward while navigating bureaucracy, bandwidth issues, and change fatigue. And I’ve learned to recognize the quiet signals that someone isn’t matched to the right work.

They’re technically doing the job, but the energy is off. Momentum lags. Collaboration feels forced. And even great people start to fade into the background.

It’s not about talent. It’s about fit.

I first saw this clearly when leading the Hands Across the Border project. A few people who joined the team were incredible professionals—smart, committed, resourceful. But we had one administrator who, while eager, struggled when dropped into a culturally immersive teaching role. It just wasn’t the right place for him to thrive.

So we shifted. We gave him responsibilities that aligned with his operational strengths—logistics, resource management, problem-solving. And he flourished.

That moment stuck with me. Because once we made the adjustment, everything smoothed out. He felt more confident. The team worked better. And most importantly, the students had a stronger, safer, more organized experience.

I’ve used that lesson ever since: just because someone can do something doesn’t mean they should. And just because someone has a title doesn’t mean they’re matched to the right work for the moment.

In my coaching and leadership now, I try to ask: What are this person’s true strengths? What gives them energy? Where will they shine—and where might they shrink? And I use tools like CliftonStrengths not to put people in boxes, but to open up conversations we wouldn’t have otherwise.

Misalignment isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s a whisper. A missed deadline. A drop in engagement. A lingering discomfort.

But when we listen closely and match with care, we reduce friction and unlock momentum.