“Leadership is not just what happens when you’re there. It’s what happens when you’re not.”
Ken Blanchard
Dynamic Goal Setting Process
At SlightlySkew, our unwavering commitment lies in aiding business owners navigating one of two scenarios. The first group comprises those visionary entrepreneurs aware of their business’s untapped potential yet uncertain about the path to elevate it further. The second group encompasses those restless souls who, in the stillness of the night, confront the stark reality that their enterprise is faltering despite relentless efforts to salvage it, realizing that outside assistance is imperative.
In our journey alongside these enterprising individuals, we’ve observed a common thread—some are so engrossed in various pursuits that they inadvertently overlook the fundamental tenets of effective management. Enter Ken Blanchard, a luminary in the realm of leadership and management. In his seminal work, “The One Minute Manager,” penned alongside Spencer Johnson, Blanchard elucidates what he dubs the “basic skills of management”:
- Goal Setting: The cornerstone of any endeavour, where clarity in objectives is paramount.
- Praising: A practice of acknowledging and commending the endeavours and accomplishments of team members.
- Reprimanding: Offering constructive feedback when warranted to rectify performance issues.
Blanchard underscores the pivotal role of these three rudimentary skills in steering teams towards success while nurturing high morale and productivity.
It all commences with goal setting—a structured process encompassing defining objectives, delineating the actions requisite for attainment, and formulating a roadmap for progress assessment. Here’s a delineation of the goal-setting process inspired by Blanchard’s wisdom:
- Define Your Objectives: Commence by crystallizing your aspirations. Objectives must be SMART—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For instance, rather than a nebulous goal like “enhance fitness,” opt for a SMART objective such as “complete a 10k race in under 60 minutes by year-end.”
- Break Down Your Goals: Deconstruct the overarching objective into smaller, actionable tasks or sub-goals. These incremental goals serve as stepping stones toward the grand vision. For instance, augmenting weekly mileage, refining pace, and integrating strength training.
- Set Priorities: Discern the most pressing and impactful goals. Prioritize tasks based on their contribution to overarching objectives.
- Establish Action Plans: Forge a clear pathway for each goal, delineating specific steps, setting deadlines, and devising strategies to surmount obstacles.
- Monitor Progress: Regularly assess advancement towards goals, leveraging journals, task management systems, or pertinent metrics for tracking.
- Stay Flexible: Embrace adaptability in goal pursuit, adjusting strategies in response to evolving circumstances or unforeseen challenges.
- Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones along the journey, fostering motivation and momentum.
- Review and Adjust: Periodically reassess goals, discern progress, and recalibrate strategies as warranted by changing circumstances.
By adhering to these principles, you can effectively delineate and pursue goals, whether personal, professional, or academic. Remember, goal setting is a dynamic endeavour—refinement and adaptation are integral to the journey towards success.
