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Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. Personally, I’m thankful to be a child of God. I’m thankful for the love of family and friends—near and far. I’m thankful for friendships that stand the test of time and for new connections that bring fresh meaning to life.

I’m also thankful for wisdom, even when it comes through endings—some expected and others not. This year, I’ve gained fresh perspectives and started new things, including this newsletter. With each step, I’ve come to realize something powerful about how we approach challenges and opportunities: the difference between agreement and alignment.

At first glance, these two ideas may seem similar. But as I’ve learned, understanding their distinction can profoundly change how we navigate our relationships, work, and decisions.

It’s easy to settle for agreement because it feels like progress. After all, when people agree with you, it creates a sense of harmony. But not all agreements lead to success. That’s where alignment comes in. Alignment goes beyond agreeing on surface-level details—it’s about shared goals, values, and vision.

When you work toward something significant, like a career goal, a project, or even a meaningful relationship, alignment is the key that keeps you moving in the right direction. Agreement might give you a temporary “yes,” but alignment ensures long-term success.

When faced with a challenge, ask yourself: Am I dealing with a disagreement or a misalignment? Here’s how to tell:

Disagreement often happens when people understand the goal but have different opinions on how to achieve it. The solution here is open communication—listening and finding compromises.

Misalignment goes deeper. It’s when people don’t share the same vision or commitment to the goal. To address misalignment, you need to revisit the purpose and decide whether to realign or take a new path.

Entrepreneurial Partnerships: You’ve started a business with a partner who initially agreed with your vision of providing high-quality, handcrafted goods. As time goes on, you notice your partner prioritizes cutting costs over maintaining quality. The issue here isn’t just a disagreement; it’s a fundamental misalignment in values and goals. Agreement got the business off the ground, but alignment is what sustains a shared purpose and keeps the partnership thriving.

Workplace Disputes: In a professional setting, imagine you’re mediating between two employees who frequently clash over how to approach a project. They might both agree on the project’s goal, but their disagreement on methods reflects deeper misalignment in their priorities or communication styles. Helping them align—by clarifying expectations and fostering collaboration—can resolve the conflict and improve team dynamics.

Recognizing alignment versus agreement has helped me find peace, make better decisions, and even embrace endings with grace. My hope for you is the same: that you find alignment in your pursuits—the kind that keeps you moving forward with confidence.

Don’t forget! The strategies for resolving these challenges include the following:

I hope this message finds you well. I’m sharing from my heart in hopes that you will be inspired to unearth and live out your God-given purpose. Hopefully, something I said resonated. I would love to hear from you if so. Please feel free to reach out to me on social media. FYI: I’m mostly active on Instagram these days. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe here to receive thoughts like this directly in your inbox. And don’t forget to check out the latest episode of my podcast, ConvoRoom with Mark Allen Patterson.

See you next week,