Dan Schawbel* says one of a team leader’s most important tasks is goal-setting. He suggests ways this can be done both efficiently and effectively.
As a leader, it is essential to prioritise the success of your team and help it achieve its goals.
By doing so, you not only create a positive and supportive work environment, you build trust and loyalty.
When individuals feel valued and supported, they are more likely to work collaboratively and take ownership of their responsibilities.
Today’s leaders have a lot of challenges managing their teams, such as getting every employee on the same page, and burnout.
A study by ClearCompany found that only 14 per cent of employees understand their organisation’s strategy and direction.
When team members don’t understand the organisation’s goals and strategy, it can be difficult to align individual goals and actions with the larger picture.
This can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and reduced productivity.
A separate study by Deloitte found that 77 per cent of respondents had experienced employee burnout at their current job — a significant obstacle for leaders as they seek to help teams achieve goals.
Here are some ways you can help your team achieve its goals.
Set clear goals
A team cannot achieve goals if it doesn’t know what they are.
It is important to set clear, measurable, and achievable goals that help everyone to stay focused and motivated.
One approach I use is the SMART goal-setting framework.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
By using this framework, I can create goals that are clear and actionable, and that everyone on the team can understand.
I also suggest using project management tools like Trello, Asana, and Jira to manage projects, tasks, and goals.
Create a roadmap
Once you have set clear goals, it’s important to create a roadmap that outlines how the team will achieve these goals.
This includes defining the tasks, deadlines, and resources needed to achieve each goal.
Once your SMART goals are established, they can be broken down into smaller, actionable steps.
The team should identify the key milestones and deadlines necessary to achieve the objectives, and each step should have a clear owner responsible for ensuring that it is completed on time.
Foster collaboration
Teams work best when they collaborate and share ideas.
As a leader, it’s important to create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.
One new app that organisations are using to foster collaboration is GoalBud, a social networking tool created by former Navy SEAL platoon commander, Alden Mills.
The app enables teams to take action on three pillars of goal achievement, including making the goal, building a goal team and creating and reporting on team commitments.
Assign responsibilities
Each team member should have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and how they contribute to the team’s goals.
It’s important to assign tasks based on each team member’s strengths, interests, and expertise.
When assigning responsibilities, it’s important to play to each team member’s strengths.
For example, if a team member is a strong communicator, they may be responsible for leading team meetings and presenting progress updates.
Alternatively, if a team member is highly analytical, they may be responsible for data analysis and reporting.
Provide resources
Teams need resources to achieve their goals, whether it’s financial, equipment, or support.
It’s important to provide the necessary resources to ensure your team has everything it needs to be successful.
For example, if the team is working on a software development project, it may require access to specific programing languages, hardware, and testing tools.
Once the resources have been identified, it’s essential to ensure they are readily available.
This may involve providing training or hiring external experts to fill any gaps in the team’s knowledge or skill set.
Encourage communication
This includes regular meetings, status updates, and feedback sessions.
Encourage active listening and ensure that every team member has an opportunity to participate in discussions.
Video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet provide an effective way for teams to communicate, no matter where members are located.
Source candidates from diverse sources
Hiring diverse candidates can foster a culture of equity and fairness, where everyone is given an equal opportunity to succeed and advance.
This can help to close pay gaps by promoting greater transparency and accountability in pay practices and ensuring that all employees are compensated fairly based on their qualifications and experience.
Empower your team
Finally it’s important to empower your team.
This means giving them the autonomy and authority to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
This not only leads to better results but also helps team members grow and develop their skills.
Encouraging creativity and innovation is a way to empower team members.
This involves creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and taking risks.
Providing opportunities for training and development can be highly effective in fostering creativity and innovation.
Helping your team achieve their goals requires clear communication, collaboration, and support.
By setting clear goals, providing resources, and fostering an environment of trust and communication, your team can achieve great things.
* Dan Schawbel is a bestselling author and Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, a research and advisory firm helping HR adapt to trends, drive performance and prepare for the future.
This article is part of his Workplace Intelligence Weekly series.
