If you provide leadership to an individual or team, you have 5 responsibilities:
- Goals – With their input, agree to the 4-6 most meaningful goals to their role or function that should be achieved over the next year. These goals should be specific, quantifiable or timebound;
- Plan – Help them (as needed) prepare and present their annual plan of work, activities, events, solicitations, etc., which lead to the achievement of these goals;
- Assist – Identify ways you can and will support them in the achievement of these goals;
- Remind – During individual or team meetings, ask them to update their progress on these goals and bring strategies to course correct (if needed);
- Recognize – in front of your boss and/or publicly, ensure the team hears you authentically praising their achievements.
By establishing 4-6 annual goals with each person or team that reports to you, ensuring there is a thoughtful plan to achieve these goals, asking regularly how you can assist them achieve these goals, keeping the progress toward these goals as a consistent component of your meeting agendas, and, then, when success is achieved, praising them publicly, you are providing the leadership that positively enhances the work life experience for everyone.
Simultaneously, the many other fires, problems, dramas, concerns, etc., that may be currently absorbing significant chunks of time and energy will begin to melt away.
This article was originally posted on Jason’s Blog in December 2022. To read more, visit www.jasonmcneal.com.
