You needn’t try to keep your ambitions realistic, nor be satisfied with what is easily achievable. Your ambitions should be bold and your goals daring. To get yourself or your employees to the next level, focus on the following kinds of goals, as recommended by the Human Capital Exchange website.
Solid results are certain when big goals with these characteristics are set. At least a bit beyond what anyone could expect: that is where great success is born.
A bold goal is one that goes beyond the regular expectations that workers have of themselves.
An enriching goal is one that works well for both the development needs of staff and the company as a whole. Individual needs are aligned with the company's needs.
A buy-in which involves all relevant stakeholders will add a sense of urgency to your plan. The bottom line is your goals should at least mildly intimidate the person who is to achieve them. You should push your subordinates to the limits of their abilities. Encourage them to set bold goals since goals with such characteristics lead to enhanced performance. When challenging goals are chosen, the following happens:
1. It forces you to focus on what you can do to make the biggest impact.
2. You have to stretch and grow in order to achieve your audacious goals. The comfort zone is exceeded.
3. Emotional connection is encouraged. To achieve such a goal, one needs support. Support will be provided when the goal is big enough ... and it may get even bigger than the whole team.
4. There is a certain vision of an end state to be achieved. You don’t really need milestones or detailed metrics: the clear, compelling vision is what drives you forward.
-jk-
Article source The Conference Board - Human Capital Exchange - The Conference Board website