This time last year your team was probably setting goals for 2020 not knowing what was lurking around the corner. This December, however, we approach the goal-setting process with open eyes and an understanding of the challenges of the current environment.
This new year gives you the opportunity to reset, refocus, and realign your team to move forward in a positive way. It is time to set the Vision for 2021 with your team. Here are a few ways to get started.
1. Try Team Goal Setting
Team Goal Setting is a collaborative model to defining what your team will accomplish in the coming year. In Team Goal Setting, company objectives are approached through brainstorming and input from all team members. This method pulls upon the variety of skill sets, experiences, and perspectives of your team members.
The benefits of Team Goal Setting with mutually determined goals are:
- Generates enthusiasm and engagement
- Creates stronger buy-in and accountability
- Produces more creative solutions
- Provides a unifying effort on shared success measures
As the leader, you set the tone and energy of the process. If your team is able to meet in person, you might take your team off-site to a creative space. If your team is meeting remotely, perhaps you could have a pizza or charcuterie basket delivered to each employee before the meeting for a shared experience.
A goal properly set is halfway reached.
~ Zig Ziglar
2. Try SMART-ER Goal Setting
The SMART goal setting matrix is a long-trusted method for goal setting. SMART stands for:
Specific – Clearly states what you want to accomplish.
Measurable – Define specific milestones and metrics of success to track your progress.
Achievable – How will you get there? What tools and resources are needed?
Relevant – How does the goal align with your company’s success?
Time-Bound – When the goal is to be completed. What is the deadline?
An important thing we’ve learned from 2020’s volatile shifts is to be flexible. So, for 2021 shift to SMART-ER goal setting. SMARTER adds two vital steps to the process:
E – Evaluate
R – Re-adjust
The environment in which you set your team goals, may not be the same in 3 months, in 6 months, in a year. Regular evaluation keeps your goals top-of-mind (and more likely to be achieved) and allows you to identify what is and what isn’t working.
Rather than blindly going down a set path, evaluation and adjustment let you try different approaches and find the best methods for your team to succeed.
Stay committed to your decisions
but stay flexible in your approach.
~ Tony Robbins
Set Up for Success
However your team sets its goals, the pathway to success begins with service, trust, and communication. Make sure your team has the tools, training, and resources to accomplish their tasks.
Most importantly, be available. Create a feedback plan and discuss progress with your employees. Regular check-ins can help you identify and correct issues early. Be proactive and ask for feedback. Your employees might not want to bring you bad news but will be open to problem-solving if you initiate a positive conversation.
Be Flexible
We can’t predict the future, but it is safe to say there will be changes and challenges in 2021. It is OK to pivot. It is OK to change timelines and strategies. Be flexible and stay focused on the end goal. Happy New Year!
