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Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential
Issue 2.42 - October 17th, 2005 - ISSN: 1551-6571
Four Reasons to Set Group Goals Collaboratively
One of the tasks that come with being a leader is setting goals. Goals for ourselves, to be sure, but often we need set goals for our groups/teams or the larger organization. While we may instinctively know that we should include people in the creation of goals they will be working to achieve, too often the press of time and the lure of expediency leaves leaders setting the goals, and simply sharing them with those charged with achieving them.
The Four Reasons
There are four significant reasons why we need to get others involved in creating of the group’s goals. Any one of these are reason enough to create a conversation about the goals rather than creating a PowerPoint presentation with the goals already formulated.
- To gain Agreement. There are actually two agreements you want to gain.
1. Agreement on what the goal actually is.
2. Agreement that the goal is worthwhile and beneficial.
Once you have these agreements you will increase the clarity of the goal for everyone. Goal clarity in itself has a very positive impact on ultimate goal achievement. With agreement you will increase focus on the goal as well. Take the time to create both of these agreements and you have a stronger chance of achieving the next item . . .
| Automobile Education |
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- To create Engagement. Notice I said engagement not buy-in. I know we all talk about wanting people to “buy-in” to our ideas and plans. And, given the choice between having people who are “bought-in” vs. people who didn’t care or disagree, I choose the former. But engagement is more than “buy-in.” When people are engaged in an idea they are committed to it. They feel ownership for it. They have thrown more than their hat into the ring, they have thrown their heart in too. Once people are engaged in the goal you can capture what comes next . . .
- To set Collective Consciousness. Have you ever noticed that after you buy a new car, you see “your” car everywhere? The reason this occurs isn’t because thousands of people followed your lead to buy the same car you did. It happens because of your Reticular Activating System. Our Reticular Activating System works as a filter helps us notice things we are focusing on or are interested in. Once people are fully engaged in a goal their subconscious mind goes to work and the Reticular Activating System helps. People will begin to see things that will be resources, methods or clues to achieving the goal. Sparks will fly between people on the team and progress may be achieved faster than could be logically expected.
- To manifest Synergy. We have people work together because we know that together we can achieve more than we can separately. This is the definition of synergy. If you prepare your goals in a vacuum and present them to the group the chance for you to achieve team synergies is virtually nil. The whole point of a group working towards a goal together is to gain synergy. If you want it, you have to let people help create the specific goals they will be directly involved in achieving.
Getting others involved in the creation of the goals is more than just a good idea. It is more than just the right thing to do. It is the most important step you can take to improve the likelihood that a goal that is set, is reached.
| Success Story |
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"The end result while working with Kevin Eikenberry was our vision, strategy and tactics for 2005. Kevin worked with our Communication Department for three days, assisting us in brainstorming activities and eventually capturing our final results. Along with the business aspect of the meeting, Kevin helped us grow closer as a team with numerous activities and break-out sessions. I felt he went beyond the call of duty in his flexibility with us (we changed dates a few times), his work relationship (Kevin flew out to meet with us personally and we had numerous phone conversations) and his knowledge of our business. The return on our investment is still occurring." - Trina Steinberg, Communications Specialist, ChevronTexaco Today Kevin is in Northern California working with this team on their 2006 planning process…. Contact us to see how we can help your team too! |
So when you have a goal to be achieved with the help of others, keep these four reasons in mind and make the time to create the massive benefits described here.
That time and effort is the best insurance policy you can buy to improve the chance your goals will be achieved.
Yours in Learning,
| About The Kevin Eikenberry Group |
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We help organizations, teams and individuals reach their potential through a variety of products and services including: - Consulting / Coaching To learn more click on the links above or call 888.LEARNER or 317.387.1424. |
Kevin's Recommends
Recess for the Soul
by Bernie DeKoven
My friend Bernie DeKoven recently sent me a copy of his newest creation – a CD called Recess for the Soul. (long-time readers may remember when I recommended his Deep Fun weblog).
This is a CD written and spoken by Bernie. It isn’t a novel, though Bernie’s voice makes it feel at times like you are listening to an Audio book. It isn’t quite inspirational, though it gives you much to think about. It isn’t quite comedy, but I found myself laughing out loud more than once.
While it isn’t any of those things exactly, it is some of each of them.
Listening to this 40 minute CD will help you think about how you can use your beautiful brain to be more reflective and playful. It includes thought provoking commentary and real-life fun exercises that you can do to make your mind a place you want to spend more time with.
The production values are fantastic and I promise you won’t find another product quite like this anywhere.
You can learn more, listen to, read some samples, and order a copy from Bernie.
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