How to achieve your vision through your team

Having a vision as a CEO, makes everything easier – from goal-setting, prioritising actions and day-to-day activities to making tough decisions. To achieve that vision, it needs to be broken down into smaller, more relevant goals for team members to achieve.

The goals you set give team members an idea of what needs to be done and how hard they have to work. However, you do need to be cautious that you are not setting the goals that are too easy to achieve.

Goals that are specific yet challenging are great motivators. Combining those goals with constructive feedback sets you up to accomplish higher productivity and team performance.

On the other hand, vague goals and goals that are too easy tend to leave team members unaccomplished or disengaged.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you set goals:

• Team members will feel a sense of success when they complete tasks that are challenging yet realistic.
• Ask your team members for their opinions when you are setting goals – this increases a person’s commitment to the goal.
• Review what was done right as well as areas that need improvement, be ready to give and receive feedback that is clear and helpful.
• Align goals and adjust difficulty and complexity at all levels, namely managerial, team and organisational goals to avoid conflicting activities.

Goal-setting for the year is something many people like the idea of, but few people do! Doing this at the end of – or the beginning of – the year is a great time to refocus the mind and think about what would make a successful year ahead.

Remember that it is vital to settle on a goal with the right level of difficulty. Overly complicated or excessively challenging tasks can lead to team members becoming frustrated. Consult with your team members and ask for honest opinions.

Karl Grech coaches his clients to enhance how they connect, influence, and inspire others. Karl is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He can be reached at coaching@karlgrech.com or visit www.karlgrech.com  to learn more.