When Disciplines Collide

Ownership, Alignment, and Direction can come into conflict. Understanding these collisions is crucial for stewardship.

Ownership vs. Alignment:

"I own this and I'm deciding X."

"But we're not aligned on that direction!"

Clear ownership can run roughshod over alignment. Or alignment-seeking can paralyze owners.

Alignment vs. Direction:

"Let's make sure everyone agrees."

"But we're going in circles! We need to move!"

Thorough alignment can stall direction. Or urgency for direction can create false alignment.

Direction vs. Ownership:

"We need to go this way."

"But nobody actually owns making that happen."

Clear direction without ownership creates unfulfilled mandates.

These collisions aren't failures. They're features of complex work:

- Ownership requires autonomy; alignment requires connection

- Alignment requires time; direction requires speed

- Direction requires commitment; ownership requires authority

The disciplines serve different needs. Those needs sometimes conflict.

When disciplines collide:

1. Name the collision: "I'm noticing tension between X and Y."

2. Explore what each is protecting: "What's at stake if we prioritize alignment here? What's at stake if we don't?"

3. Find the crux: "Where specifically do they conflict? Is there a way through?"

4. Make a conscious choice: "Given our situation, which matters more right now?"

Stewards don't resolve collisions. They:

- Notice them

- Name them

- Help others navigate them

- Hold space for the tension

This is different from having the answer. It's creating conditions for answers to emerge.

Perfect balance across all three disciplines is impossible. In any given moment:

- Ownership might be clearer than alignment

- Direction might be stronger than ownership

- Alignment might be more developed than direction

The goal isn't perfection. It's awareness and intentional navigation.