There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing what you’re doing. Make sure your team has a solid understanding of what is expected of them with clear expectations.
Start by setting goals with your team. Limit the planning to one or two truly important goals to create focus. Involve your team in formulating them so everyone is on the same page. Not only will your team be doing the work to achieve the goals, but they’ll also have a perspective you (and others) don’t.
Once the goals are set, create a compelling scoreboard to track your progress. The scoreboard should be simple and easy to read. It should also tell teams if they are winning by a quick glance. Put it in a place where everyone can see it to establish a cadence of accountability. Having a scoreboard boosts engagement and allows people the chance to know exactly where they stand.
When your team members do something that you’d like to see more of, be sure to acknowledge that behavior. Tell them about the work you see them do and take the chance to compliment them on it. Likewise, if they are doing something that is impeding progress, be clear with them. Do not ignore persisting problems. Take the employee aside and discuss with them what needs to change in order to reach expectations.
Lastly, don’t stop communicating your goals and vision to the team. A person usually has to hear the same message 6 to 20 times before they actually retain the information. Don’t assume everyone understands the goals right away.
As you and your team have a solid idea of what is expected, projects will run more smoothly.
Related Content:
5 Ways To Increase Clarity And Decrease Disappointment
Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard
Great Leaders Clarify Expectations video
Practice 3: Set Up Your Team to Get Results—part 1 video
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