Realistic Goals

As leaders, we want to get our people on-board with exciting new plans.

Leaders need to build that initial excitement and that buy-in, of course, but sometimes leaders forget that there’s also, you know, the actual WORK of making something happen from start to finish.

Don’t be that “flavor-of-the-month” boss who comes in with a great idea and no follow-through. Those folks lose the respect of the people they are trying to lead, since experience teaches them that they don’t have to do anything and the idea will fade away after a few weeks.

Come in with a great idea. Build enthusiasm and buy-in. Set milestones and metrics and get regular progress reports. Allocate time and resources to the project, particularly when it includes new processes that will require training and practice to master. Celebrate and reward your people when they meet the milestones and metrics, and hold people accountable if they don’t.

Successfully implementing strategic initiatives is HARD TO DO. But we need to be able to lead our people from where they are now to where they will be even more successful in the future. When it is worth the effort, do it!

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