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Diagnose Leader--Staff Alignment: See Where Leadership Vision Matches (or Misses) Employee Reality

TL;DR: What this template does

This template compares employee and leadership interview themes to assess alignment across values, communication, priorities, and trust.
Upload cross-level feedback and receive a detailed misalignment map.

Why alignment isn't just about goals --- it's about belief

What leaders say and what employees feel don’t always match.

This template makes that visible — and fixable.

Definition: Leader–staff alignment is the degree to which executives’ perception of culture, strategy, and priorities match how employees experience and interpret them — surfaced by comparing qualitative data.

How does this template work?

Step 1: Upload Interviews Across Levels
  • Use listening sessions, 1:1s, pulse surveys from execs + ICs
  • Accepts audio, video, or text
  • Best with 5+ leadership voices and 10+ employee voices
Step 2: Extract Themes — Leadership Effectiveness
  • AI compares leadership vs staff sentiment on: vision, culture, trust, change
  • Tags divergence points and shared language
  • Highlights risk areas and credibility gaps
Step 3: Output — Alignment Report
  • Theme-based alignment grid (matched, misaligned, neutral)
  • Key quote contrasts for each issue
  • Downloadable for leadership retreats, offsites, or people strategy

What benefits does this template provide?

BenefitDescriptionImpact
Close the Perception GapHelp leadership see how messages landImprove internal trust
Strategic ClarityReconnect company direction to employee needsBoost execution + buy-in
Feedback-Driven PlanningGround transformation in lived realityEnable honest, inclusive leadership
Early Risk DetectionCatch credibility or morale issues before they escalateReduce attrition, increase trust

How do different teams use this template?

Execs + Chiefs of Staff — Understand leadership impact
HR/People Ops — Enable executive feedback loop
DEI/Culture Teams — Reveal equity in communication and alignment
Board + Strategy Leaders — Build people-first execution plans

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this feature do?
It reveals gaps (and alignment) between what leaders say the company stands for — and what employees actually experience. By analyzing both leadership messaging and staff feedback, it helps uncover disconnects in priorities, communication, and cultural understanding.
Will this show where language breaks down?
Absolutely — you’ll get quote contrasts on core themes.
Is this sensitive data?
Yes — it’s anonymized and intended for safe, confidential reflection.

What Teams Are Saying

“This changed how our leadership team showed up. We now build culture initiatives based on what employees actually hear from us — not just what we say.”


— Martyn Rothwell, Sports Performance Researcher

Want to align your leadership message with real employee experience?