Goal setting for the leader in you

From my experience, when engaging with a group of people, athletically, academically, or in work, success has greatly depended on the entire group’s level of investment to the activity, task, or project. Simply, the greater the investment (i.e., intentional time and energy that each member spends on the activity, task, or project), the more likely the group will succeed. As leaders, it is essential that we create opportunities for our members to get invested.

Inviting members to get engaged is one of the simplest and best ways to enhance group investment. I’m not talking about just welcoming them to participate on the periphery. I’m talking about making a sincere advance for them to co-create, co-develop, and co-author the vision and goals of the activity, task, or project. By inviting group members to join you in laying a foundation, they will feel connected to the work. Co-authoring group goals will also likely encourage group members to feel more committed and to persist through tough times.

Across many sectors of society, from major corporations to local school districts, when leaders provide personnel at all levels of the organization open invitations to share thoughts, ideas, and perspectives, positive results happen. Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, when describing the initial idea for a company-wide health plan shares, “treat people like family, and they will be loyal and give their all. Stand by people and they will stand by you.” If you open the doors for everyone, every single member, to participate fully in the goal setting or visioning process, their level of investment will increase. Ultimately, I believe providing opportunities for members to invest more of themselves enhances their sense of personal ownership, fulfillment, and productivity.

This idea is also exemplified by a quote shared by Learning Point Associates in reference to educational institutions, “Schools are likely to be more successful in achieving in-depth learning when leaders work with staff and the community to build a collective educational vision that is clear, compelling, and connected to teaching and learning. This collective vision helps focus attention on what is important, motivates staff and students, and increases the sense of shared responsibility for student learning.” In essence, if we as leaders invite members to collaboratively create our vision and set our goals, our chance for success and accomplishment increase exponentially.

In peace,

Jonathan Kroll