Leaders are often driven by the goals they set for their organization at the beginning of the year. In their busy-ness, though, they commonly lose sight of these business goals and, before they know it, an entire year has slipped away. Also, when businesses are doing well, complacency can rear its ugly head. It can happen, too, when people get promoted to a new position and think they’ve “made it.”
As a leader, make a point of seeking out the creep of complacency in your organization, then crush it as quickly as it surfaces. Not sure what to look for? Here are some indicators of complacency:
- A lack of urgency mixes with too many mediocre performances.
- An attitude of superiority prevails.
- Crucial decisions are put off or delayed.
- Nobody challenges the status quo.
- Everything feels routine; nothing seems exciting.
- High levels of satisfaction and comfort exist.
- Although goals are met, the team produces less than before.
- People come and go from the workplace more freely than ever.
- Careless mistakes are made and handled without accountability.
What can you do? Consider these suggestions:
- Reset the organization’s goals to be more aggressive than they currently are.
- Revisit performance and behavior expectations, then hold everyone accountable.
- Don’t let the little problems slip, for they will lead to big problems.
- Tap into people’s underused energy by launching a contest or incentive.
- Create cross-functional teams to explore projects with long-term benefits.
- Refresh interest in your meetings by getting participants to facilitate them.
- Ask, “What are we not doing for our customers that we should be doing?” Then do it.
PERSONAL GOALS MATTER
Yes, leaders can be effective at setting business goals and measuring their effectiveness. But when it comes to personal goals, they don’t typically place the same level of importance on them. Looking back to last year, did you have any personal goals? Were they the right goals for you? Did you track them, achieve them, and celebrate them? Or did you give up on them as the year progressed? The New Year brings a fresh opportunity to create a new set of goals related to your own well-being.
STRIVE FOR SUCCESS
Following these three approaches to goal setting provides a higher probability of success:
- Be serious: Put your goals in writing to ensure you’ve thought them through with substance.
- Be focused: Keep your goals visible to constantly remind you what you intend to accomplish.
- Be committed: Ensure your activities align with the goals you set.
If you don’t set any goals or fail to achieve those you do, then you are missing an opportunity to demonstrate exceptional leadership. Isn’t that what you want in the New Year?
ONE LAST THOUGHT
Regardless of where you are in your career, intentionally setting and achieving goals positions you for greatness–both in business and in life.
About the Author:
As a leadership development expert, Randy Goruk works with construction industry leaders to improve employee engagement and business growth. Contact Randy directly to learn how he can help you and your team: randy@LeadersEdge360.com. For more, visit leadersedge360.com.
Modern Contractor Solutions, December 2022
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