When Two Leaders Aren’t Aligned, The Organization Can’t Move Forward
Alignment Coaching helps high-stakes leadership pairs move from tension, second-guessing, and miscommunication to trust, clarity, and faster decisions.
If you’re smoothing things over, translating between leaders, or carrying the weight of misalignment yourself, this work is designed for you.
Misalignment Shows Up As:
- Decisions that stall or get revisited
- Tension you can feel but can’t quite name
- Confusion about priorities or direction
- HR or the CEO acting as the unofficial translator
Left unaddressed, this kind of misalignment drains energy, erodes trust, and slows the entire organization.
Who Alignment Coaching Is For
Alignment Coaching is designed for high-impact leadership relationships where misalignment creates outsized ripple effects.
Ideal scenarios include:
- A CEO and senior leader who are both strong, but not strong together
- Executives navigating growth, change, or role evolution
- Long-standing leadership pairs with unspoken tension or assumptions
- New leadership partnerships that need a solid foundation
- Leaders who avoid hard conversations (or have them unproductively)
Typical roles include:
CEO • President • COO • Executive Director • VP-level and C-suite leaders • Middle Managers
Is Alignment Coaching Right for Your Leaders?
What Alignment Coaching Is (and Isn’t)
Alignment Coaching Is:
- Coaching with two people
- A confidential, structured space to surface assumptions, strengthen trust, and improve communication
- Grounded in the Thoughtfully Fit® framework (Pause. Think. Act.)
- Practical, human, and business-focused
Alignment Coaching Isn’t:
- Mediation
- Conflict arbitration
- Therapy
- A way to “fix” one person
Outcomes leaders experience
After going through our Alignment Coaching program, clients report:
- Clearer, faster decisions
- Reduced friction and second-guessing
- Greater mutual trust and respect
- A leadership partnership others can rely on
- Less emotional and cognitive load on the CEO
For HR leaders, this often shows up as:
- Stronger executive collaboration
- Fewer escalations
- Clearer ownership and accountability
👉 Make Clearer, Faster Decisions With Our Alignment Sprint
What Alignment Coaching Looks Like in Practice
Case Study: From Tension to Trust
Two senior leaders with a long history of working together found their relationship strained after a role change altered expectations and accountability. Communication became cautious, assumptions went unspoken, and tension began to ripple across the organization.
Through Alignment Coaching, they worked together in a structured, confidential setting to surface expectations, rebuild trust, and define how they would work together going forward.
Results included:
- More direct, productive communication
- Faster decisions and fewer escalations
- Renewed trust and a sense of partnership
Two Thoughtful Ways to Begin Alignment Coaching
We offer two entry points, depending on your urgency and readiness.
Alignment Sprint
(60 Days)
A focused, low-risk way to build clarity quickly
Includes:
- 2 Kolbe A assessments
- Three facilitated coaching sessions
- A “Ways We Work Together” agreement
Investment: $3,500
Ideal if you want momentum before committing longer-term.
6-Month Alignment Coaching Engagement
For leaders ready to create lasting change
Includes:
- Bi-weekly coaching sessions
- Sponsor check-ins and progress reviews
- Ongoing accountability and support
Investment: $14,500
Ideal if you’re ready for consistent practice and reflection to plan for the future.
How It Works (The DLCC Way)
Determine Fit & Outcomes
We ensure Alignment Coaching is the right solution and clarify success.
Understand the Current State
Assessments and discovery sessions surface patterns, friction points, and goals.
Coach for Awareness & Action
Structured, bi-weekly sessions build trust, communication, and alignment.
Intentional Completion
Capture learnings, define next steps, and embed new ways of working.
Meet Our Expert Coaches
Our alignment coaches at DLCC are seasoned professionals who specialize in effective collaboration and conflict resolution. With a deep understanding of team dynamics and interpersonal relationships, our coaches are dedicated to helping you and your colleagues work together seamlessly.
What Our Alignment Coaching Clients Are Saying
7 Conversations Every C-Suite Pair Needs to Have
If you’re ready to strengthen your partnership before the cracks show, this guide is for you.
Here’s what you’ll get by downloading this free eguide:
- The seven conversations most C-suite pairs assume they’ve had — but haven’t
- A clear picture of where ambiguity is quietly slowing your partnership down
- Practical language for starting each conversation without creating unnecessary conflict
- A simple framework for getting aligned before pressure forces the issue
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alignment Coaching
What is Alignment Coaching?
Alignment Coaching focuses on improving collaboration and communication between two key individuals within an organization. It aims to resolve conflicts, define clear roles, and create a unified approach towards achieving organizational goals.
Can we have more than two people participate in Alignment Coaching?
Two or three people can participate in Alignment Coaching. If you have four or more people, take a look at our Team Coaching options.
Who can benefit from Alignment Coaching?
Alignment Coaching is ideal for executive pairs, department heads, project leads, co-founders, managers and direct reports, supervisors and support staff, and any other pairs experiencing interpersonal challenges or needing to align their efforts.
How long does the Alignment Coaching process take?
The duration of Alignment Coaching varies depending on the specific needs and goals of the clients. Contracts are typically six months. We also have our Alignment Sprint that can be completed in 60 days.
What’s the difference between Alignment Coaching and mediation?
Alignment Coaching is proactive and focuses on improving collaboration and communication between two individuals. It aims to build stronger working relationships and align efforts towards common goals for long-term success. Mediation is reactive, dealing with specific disputes that have already escalated. A neutral mediator facilitates resolution, often resulting in a formal agreement. In essence, Alignment Coaching enhances ongoing collaboration, while mediation resolves specific conflicts.
In Alignment Coaching, the coach does not act as a mediator and does not assess who is “right” or “wrong” in a conflict or approach. The coach works with both clients to identify the way forward.
Is Alignment Coaching confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is a key component of our Alignment Coaching process. The coach will not disclose anything discussed in coaching goals. Ideally, both clients agree to keep conversations confidential as well.
How do you measure the success of Alignment Coaching?
Success is measured through the achievement of predefined goals set by both people in the Alignment Coaching.
What happens if progress is slow or there are setbacks during the coaching process?
Progress rarely occurs in a straight line. If progress is slow or setbacks occur, our coaches will work closely with the participants to understand the underlying issues and adjust the coaching plan as needed. Flexibility and adaptability are key components of our approach, ensuring that we address challenges promptly and keep the participants on track toward their goals.
How do you involve sponsors in the coaching process?
Sponsors are involved at key stages of the coaching process to ensure alignment and support. This includes initial conversations to set goals and expectations, periodic check-ins to monitor progress, and final evaluations to review outcomes and plan next steps. Their involvement helps reinforce the importance of the coaching engagement and provides additional perspectives and support.
Can you guarantee success?
While we can’t guarantee specific outcomes, we can ensure that our proven Alignment Coaching process and experienced coaches significantly increase the chances of success. The results depend on the commitment and engagement of the participants. Our role is to provide the tools, guidance, and support necessary for fostering collaboration and achieving shared goals.
Can Alignment Coaching be done virtually?
Yes, Alignment Coaching can be conducted virtually through video conferencing, making it accessible and convenient for clients regardless of their location.
What kind of commitment is required from participants?
Participants are expected to be open, willing to engage, and committed to the coaching process. This includes attending regular coaching sessions, completing any assignments or tasks between sessions, and actively participating in discussions. A genuine commitment to improvement and collaboration (even if they aren’t sure how it will happen) is essential for achieving the best results.
What if one or both of the participants is resistant to coaching?
Resistance to coaching is not uncommon. For Alignment Coaching to be effective, both participants need to be open and willing to engage. Our initial assessment helps determine readiness and fit, and we focus on building buy-in and commitment from all parties. While there may be hesitation to address conflict, maintaining the status quo is often not sustainable. Introducing a neutral third party, like an Alignment Coach, can be the catalyst needed to move things in the right direction.
Is Alignment Coaching only for people in conflict?
No! Alignment Coaching is highly effective when two people want to take their collaboration to the next level. It helps build stronger, more cohesive working relationships, even in the absence of conflict.
How do I get started with Alignment Coaching?
To get started, schedule an initial call with us to discuss your specific needs and goals. We’ll partner with you every step of the way.
Get Started Today
If misalignment between key leaders is slowing decisions, draining energy, or creating tension that others feel, it won’t resolve itself.
The right conversation can change everything.