High Performance Leadership

Are your goals ever misunderstood by your team? That can happen when the metric you use decouples from its intention. I remember managing a customer service department and wrestling with the mission of providing world class service and yet counting how many calls each representative answered. They were rewarded for answering many, many calls -- yet anyone who's ever been a customer knows what it feels like to be rushed thru a call. That's not great service. As a high performance leader, you've got to prioritize. You've got to set unambiguous goals that make it clear what you are measuring AND why. There can be no doubt what matters. People can game your goals if they aren't clearly aligned with the mission. Don't let that happen. Set goals so clear that they can't be misunderstood. It's your best chance at getting the performance you want. -- Doug Smith

How closely aligned are your actions and your goals? Does it even matter? I believe that it matters a lot. When we set clear, bold goals they drive our actions forward -- AND, when we act boldly, quickly, and constantly we begin to rely more on clear goals. The two go together. High performance leaders set goals carefully, knowing that they influence everything they do. Set your goals carefully because they drive what you do. And you do want to do the right things, right? -- Doug Smith

Want to solve that big problem? Focus on the goal you want to achieve instead of the pain your problem presents.  Work to create your ideal situation. When we focus positively on the goal that we want to achieve, rather than the symptoms of a problem we perceive, our energy and focus helps us get where we really want to go. Try it. Convert that problem statement to a goal statement. Then, get busy. I think you'll like the results. What's your biggest goal today? -- Doug Smith Front Range Leadership:  High performance leadership training doug smith training:  how to achieve your goals

Do you have a goal that seems stuck because you don't know what to do next? What a sinking feeling it is when a goal slowly fades away for lack of action. Here's what works better for me: Clarify your goal - make sure there are these three components: an action verb, the result that you want, and the time for the deadline. They don't need to be complicated. The simpler the better. Just keep the ART in them. Set an aggressive action plan and stick to it.  Act relentlessly on your plan every day. Those three things will make a pronounced difference in your goals. Take the uncertainty out of a goal by working on it everyday. You'll be glad that you did. -- Douglas Brent Smith Front Range Leadership: How to achieve your goals doug smith training: developing creativity