The Difference Between Alignment and Agreement

Episode 15: The Difference Between Alignment and Agreement

Series: Execution Is Not a Pep Talk

When everyone nods... but no one follows through—was there really alignment?

This episode dives into the critical difference between agreement and alignment, and why your team’s execution problems might not be about commitment at all—but clarity.

If you’re a founder, executive, or manager who keeps seeing the same gaps in follow-through and execution, this episode is a wake-up call worth hearing.

We’ll unpack:

• Why agreement feels productive—but rarely is
• How alignment builds momentum, not confusion
• Why restating expectations is the fastest way to reveal what’s unclear
• The role of healthy tension in building real execution
• A single question you can ask to check for true alignment

Reflection Questions (from the episode):

• What’s something your team “agreed” to—but never followed through on?
• What’s your current rhythm for reinforcing direction and clarity?
• Where are you assuming alignment… but haven’t tested for it?

Bonus Reflection Questions (for deeper insight):

• How comfortable are you slowing down a meeting to clarify expectations?
• What language do you use to confirm ownership, deadlines, and next steps?
• If you were gone tomorrow, would your team know exactly what to do?

Links and Resources:

The right question changes everything. Grab the free Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com

Connect with James on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew

Want to learn more or work together? → JamesMayhew.com