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 . . .
* 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.
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.