Defining Alignment For Engagement

I can't count the diverse definitions of alignment I've heard over the years. It's always appeared not to far off the highway of buzzwords.  Alignment has been used to denote obedience and compliance to top down decision makers, the aquiesence of minority voices to majority voices and the force-fit consistency of common standards.

Alignment can also be people working from the same page in ways that honor and engage diverse perspectives and talents. It can have everything to do with trustworthiness, collaboration and embracing contrasts and contradictions. It can emerge as much from peer agreements as imposed dictates.