Here’s the number 1 thing managers should do with their team members.
It’s common sense, but not common practice. What is it?
Set quarterly goals with each team member.
It’s a straightforward exercise, but rarely done well. Usually because managers simply haven’t been taught how to and so overcomplicate it in their minds.
It’s not the only important management task, but it’s the easiest way to create alignment, provide clarity and increase impact.
To get started, follow these 5 steps…
In the last fortnight before the start of a new quarter:
1. Schedule a one hour session with your team member, a week in advance
2. In the meantime, ask your team member to draft a list of their three to five priorities for the coming quarter, aligning them with the team and/or organisation’s priorities. Tell them you’ll do the same (for them)
3. At the meeting, compare and discuss your respective lists. Whittle them down to – ideally – two or three priorities, but no more than five. Make a call as manager, if you still can’t agree after good discussion
4. Write each one up as a SMART goal (i.e. specific, actionable, measurable, relevant and time bound). Specify exactly what will get done by 30 September (or whatever the date is). Test to make sure you’ll be able to determine whether it was achieved with a simple yes or no (no maybes).
5. Then schedule regular one-on-ones (at least fortnightly), where the team member will bring a status report on each priority for discussion. Where performance is off track, collaboratively problem solve by identifying issues and corrective actions. track their actions between meetings
Just this simple step will significantly improve your team’s alignment and performance.
It will give your team member clarity on what’s most important. Which will make them more impactful and reduce their stress levels (because it will give them clarity on what to prioritise whenever they’re feeling overwhelmed).
This process works best when you have clear team and/or organisational goals. If you don’t have them, our Impact Society Strategic Planning Toolkit includes a straightforward process for developing a one page strategic plan – including SMART goals – in a one day workshop. Download a free version here.
Impact Society
Strategic Planning Toolkit
New
New. Launch a straightforward strategic plan in under 30 days. A step-by-step guide for CEOs, team managers, founders and strategy professionals. Includes 130+ page guidebook and templates, checklists and agendas.
