A Test for You and Your Team
30 Jul, 2026
Last month I was having coffee with a client, talking through his business plan for the next financial year. He mentioned something that had been bothering him: he wasn’t sure his leadership team was aligned on the same priorities. 

We discussed what it takes to collaborate well, and what happens to information as it cascades through an organisation. His growth plan for the year ahead is ambitious, and none of it comes together unless his team is pulling in the same direction.

So I suggested something simple for his next leadership meeting. Ask everyone to write down their department’s top three priorities, without any context or discussion beforehand. Then go round the room and have each person read theirs out loud.

The results surprised him. Not one priority matched, word for word. His team were all working on the same things, but they all had their own way of describing it.

If your leadership team isn’t using the same language to describe the business priorities, think about what’s being passed down to everyone else in the business. Inconsistent language from the top creates confusion further down, and confusion tends to create stress.

It can be uncomfortable for a leadership team to realise they’ve been agreeing to different things without knowing it. This is a structural issue rather than a people problem and so it’s entirely fixable. Fixing it is often what shifts a team from being busy to working hard towards the same outcome.

Try it yourself at your next leadership meeting. If the answers don’t line up, that’s worth a conversation, whether that’s with me or within your own team first.

If you’d like some help getting everyone talking about the same priorities, in the same language, over the next three, six or twelve months, that’s exactly the sort of thing I do. You can find out more about our Strategy Alignment Workshop.

Navigate Financial

Tony Borg, Director

 

Butter Boy, Rollers Bakehouse & Norma's Deli

The shift in perspective that Charlotte introduced empowered our leaders to make more strategic decisions and cultivate a culture of accountability. This, in turn, has led to more consistent and sustainable results across the board.

The insights gained from this program have significantly contributed to the growth of our business and to my own development as a leader. I now approach challenges with greater confidence, clarity, and a fresh perspective, enabling me to guide my team in creating a work environment that fosters continuous improvement and innovation.

James Sideris, Owner

ASR Recruitment

I’ve had the privilege of working with Charlotte Rimmer at Aide de MD for several years, and I can confidently say her influence has been instrumental not only to my personal growth but also to the strategic success of our business. Charlotte possesses a high level of commercial acumen and remarkable emotional intelligence, which allows her to navigate complex business challenges with clarity and precision while fostering genuine connections.

Charlotte’s influence has left an indelible mark on our business trajectory and on my own professional journey. She has been a true partner in success, and I cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone looking to work with a dynamic, forward-thinking, and highly capable professional.

Jessica Wagstaff. General Manager

Yara Pilbara Nitrates

Our team recently completed the Management Immersion Program with Aide de MD, and it was an incredibly engaging and insightful experience. Whether you’re a new or experienced manager, the training offers valuable strategies that can be applied immediately in the workplace. The content was easy to follow and tailored to real-world scenarios, which made it highly relevant and practical for our specific needs.

Andrew, our trainer, was outstanding. He demonstrated deep knowledge of management principles and was inclusive in his approach, ensuring everyone felt comfortable to participate and share ideas. What truly set the program apart was Andrew’s ability to draw from real situations within our organisation, allowing us to explore strategies that directly impact our daily operations. I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to enhance their management skills.

Brad Rogers, Logistics & Material Handling Superintendent