Successful organizations ensure that everyone is working to achieve an overall strategy. Aligning goals places everyone in one boat and rowing in the same direction. Aligned goals create an awareness of purpose and are vital to successful outcomes. Essentially, if your organization isn’t aligning goals it will be at a disadvantage.
Six Steps to Aligning Your Goals:
- Identify the symptom to understand the problem. For example, a symptom is an employee showing up late. The problem is a sick spouse at home.
- Clarify the need. Have a one-on-one meeting and ask questions to determine why this person is late. Do they need time off? A change in schedule? Other accommodations? How do their needs impact those of the team?
- Set a goal. Written goals are more effective, so write them down and communicate them. Be specific: what are the expected results? Expected results consist of hard measurables, people’s perceptions, and the satisfaction levels of the goal setters. Set dates for follow-up meetings.
- Develop an action plan. Who is responsible for what? What are the benefits of achieving this goal to the employee and the organization? Write down the obstacles and solutions.
- Measure the results. Is this person arriving when expected or slipping back to late arrivals?
- Evaluate the results. How do the final results compare to the expected results?
More on Goals
This process is a very effective tool to assist with setting goals and providing clear expectations, so request our Goal Success Plan to help you get started.
Often, goals that provide structure and purpose are communicated from the senior leadership team to provide a strategic course for the whole organization, because these goals should reflect the mission and vision statements. So, does everyone know your mission and vision statements?
Strategic organizational goals provide a baseline for team goals. As a leader, once you’ve created and shared your team goals, the next step is asking each person to think about their own goals. Work together to create those goals to ensure they are achievable and aligned with the larger team, because this is where accountability and confidence are developed.
When everyone contributes in setting aligned goals, and everyone is rowing in the same direction, your boat will be moving toward success!
TAC works with clients to help them achieve and align their goals, so contact us to learn more.