Trina Nudson, JD, LBSW – Child Advocate & Co-Parenting Coach

Even the best systems don’t hold perfectly under pressure.
Even the most aligned teams wobble.

And that’s not failure. It’s part of the work.

Why Systems Slip
A parent’s conflict escalates unexpectedly
A new situation tests a policy that seemed solid
A staff member improvises, thinking it’ll help—but it backfires
Stress piles up, and the team falls into reactive habits

These aren’t signs that alignment isn’t working. They’re signs that we’re human.

Mastery: The Power of Small Steps
Daniel Pink, in Drive, reminds us that mastery isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about the pursuit — the commitment to get a little better, step by step, over time.

The same is true for alignment.
We don’t build alignment by setting policies once and walking away. We build it through daily choices:
pausing before we react
choosing language that invites rather than blames
repairing when we slip

And just like with any path to mastery, it’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about one thoughtful improvement at a time.

How To Repair and Restore Alignment
Name it without shame. The sooner you name the slip, the sooner you can regroup. Blame won’t help. Reflection will.
Return to your why. Ask: What’s the purpose of this policy? Who are we protecting?
Debrief as a team or family. What worked? What didn’t? What would we try differently next time?
Reinforce systems. Review the policy. Update the process. Teach the script again. Alignment is a living practice.
Repair to build trust. Repair isn’t about admitting failure. It’s about showing authenticity. Every time we acknowledge a slip and work to restore alignment, we strengthen trust — with children, families, and each other.

Alignment isn’t perfection. It’s the daily return to purpose — one small step at a time.

Next Tuesday: Building a Culture of Alignment — Beyond Individual Practices