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| Checking Out Leader's Roles |
Goal setting will play a key role in growing a business.
Written by Robyn T. Braley
Part 1; Why Goal Setting, Part 2; The Leaders Role in Goal Setting, Choosing the Team Part 3; The Right Location for Goal Setting Part 4; Formula for Goal Setting Productivity Part 5; Action Plan
Achieving Your Goals
In this post I focus on the role of leadership in building your brand through Goal Setting. When the economy is topsy turvey setting goals as a team will help bring focus and resolve. Identifying goals and implementing a plan to achieve them will equip your small business to hold steady in turbulent times.Leaders Have to Be There
Believe
it or not, I have known owners who chose not to participate in their own goal
setting process. They said, “Let me know when you have something to show me.”
By not participating, they removed themselves from the context in which the content - or goals – was created. Not participating set their company and them up, as the leader, for failure.
By not participating, they removed themselves from the context in which the content - or goals – was created. Not participating set their company and them up, as the leader, for failure.
However, too much owner involvement can also be a bad thing. Years ago I was contracted to facilitate a full day goal setting session for a midsized company. The management team from head office was joined by satellite office managers from throughout the province. We met at the owner’s cottage located on the edge of a beautiful lake.
It was a great day with high quality outcomes and lots’ of laughter mixed into the process. The end of the day saw the entire team sitting on the deck enjoying a barbecued steak dinner backed by a dynamic view including a beautiful sunset.
Unleashing Debbie Downer
Out of
nowhere, the manager of the southern Alberta office made an offhand comment to
the manager from a northern office. The owner overheard what was said and there
was an explosion of – shall we say - fiery observation and analysis.
Talk about a Debbie downer. Talk about sapping the joy from the occasion. A Goal Setting session is your chance to demonstrate your vision in a practical way.
It is a chance to show dynamic, inspirational leadership. Demonstrating a positive and fun leadership style will rub off on your team. Boiler-plate sessions are excellent opportunities to strengthen employee relationships.
All About the Journey
The
journey is as important as the end result. Participating in the process
provides context that will help coach your team along the road to success.
Knowing how to praise individuals when they excel, to encourage others when they come up short, or to be forceful when adjustments are needed is one of the attributes of an effective leader.
Knowing how to praise individuals when they excel, to encourage others when they come up short, or to be forceful when adjustments are needed is one of the attributes of an effective leader.
Great leaders motivate, teach and coach. Coaching is all about inspiring each team member to keep their eyes on the prize through the goal setting and later when activating the plan.
Leaders who can explain their company vision and the way forward...
- Attract other people of vision
- Know that a positive mental attitude is contagious. Team members are infected and become carriers
- Focus on finding ways to make things work rather than reasons why they won't
- Stay organized and know how to organize others
- Listen before they speak
Assembling the Team
Who takes part will depend on your company. If you are the
president and sole employee, the decision will be obvious. I’ve never seen that
title on a business card…but you never know.
Here is another thought. For single operators or businesses with
3-4 employees, consider including people you respect – mentors, marketers,
consultants, book keepers, suppliers or anyone else who might provide valuable
input. Invite them for only a portion of the day.
Entrepreneurs are often shy about asking for help. While inviting
outsiders requires high trust relationships, they will bring valuable ideas,
experience and business or industry knowledge to the table.
Those invited may become evangelists for your business due to having
learned more about you and your approach to business.
People Close to the Action
Including the management team is obvious. With larger businesses,
including other key employees will encourage buy-in, empowerment and
team-building.
I always encourage my clients to include frontline workers for
part if not all of the sessions. Frontliners see things differently and often
provide solutions overlooked by those further from the action.
In my next post, part 3 of 5, I will discuss the importance of
location.
Your Opinion Matters
Please share your comments below. What have I missed in explaining the leader's role in goal setting? What caused you to think differently?
Robyn T. Braley is a writer, speaker and occasional media guest. He is the President of UniMark Creative which does website design, video production, media services (editorial and advertising), and graphic design. He speaks at business conferences and also blogs about branding.
CONTACT INFO
robyn@unimarkcreative.com
Website: www.unimarkcreative.com
www.robyntbraley.com
Twitter: @robyntbraley
LinkedIn
Robyn T. Braley is a writer, speaker and occasional media guest. He is the President of UniMark Creative which does website design, video production, media services (editorial and advertising), and graphic design. He speaks at business conferences and also blogs about branding.
CONTACT INFO
robyn@unimarkcreative.com
Website: www.unimarkcreative.com
www.robyntbraley.com
Twitter: @robyntbraley
LinkedIn
Website: www.unimarkcreative.com
www.robyntbraley.com
Twitter: @robyntbraley
Explanatory post and interesting information. learned many things after reading this article. Keep Posting. Thanks for sharing.
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