As the team looks to 2023 I offer this for consideration.
FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD
“Without goals, how do you measure the value of what you do?”
“Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.”
- Walt Disney.
The purpose of setting goals is inspiring your team to accomplish more through focused individual and team efforts. You seldom hit poorly defined targets. Your job as a leader is focusing your team and limited resources, money, time and energy on the things that matter most. Actionable goals must be recognized and passionately supported by all team members. They must be clear and easily understood. Documented and specific with measurable results and time constraints. Support organizational values and strategy. Challenging but achievable and rewarded appropriately.
Most inexperienced or poorly led organizations make four common mistakes. First, fail to set goals or goals that are not thought through or poorly managed. Second, fail to create performance measurements that provide evidence of progress and achievement. Third, fail to align goals with core values and the organization’s strategy. Fourth, fail to provide appropriate rewards when goals are met. Smart leaders never accelerate toward or invest largely in an unknown target.
To be effective, goals must have three key components: First, break each goal into specific tasks. Second, the execution strategy must be well-planned and well executed. Third, adequate and available resources to reach the goal. Focus the efforts of your best people and the lion’s share of your resources on goals that bring the best return on investment. Be results oriented. Celebrate small wins along the way. Learn from every experience, no effort is minor or without consequence.
“God, who is eternally complete, who directs the stars, who is the master of fates, who elevates man from his lowliness to Himself, who speaks from the cosmos to every single human soul, is the most brilliant manifestation of the goal of perfection.”
- Alfred Adler
David Robinson is a Board Member of Wealth Codes Coach and an expert in Leadership & Business Consulting. He specializes in For Profit & Non Profit Business Consulting to help other achieve leadership and financial success. He holds a PhD from Logos University.