In organizations, people are often “paddling in different directions.” They are working hard but producing few results for their effort. They are working long hours and getting nowhere. They are tired, frustrated, and de-motivated. Morale decreases. Resentment builds.
Strategy provides clarity around what the organization is aiming to achieve. It provides direction, offering people a sense of where the organization is heading. With that understanding, they can create goals that align and start working together instead of against each other.
If you’re looking to enhance effectiveness, reduce stress, increase retention, or improve engagement, consider these questions:
- Do you have a strategy (for your organization or team)?
- Do you and the people you lead understand the strategy?
- Do you and the people you lead have goals that align with the strategy?
- Do you regularly discuss the goals and barriers to achieving them?
If you’ve answered “no” to any of those questions, you’ve identified a huge opportunity for your team and the people on it.
Image Description: Text “Leadership Tip: This is your team” with a picture of two people paddling in a canoe facing each other and a picture of two people paddling in a canoe facing opposite directions, and “This is your team of strategy” with a picture of two people in a canoe padding in the same direction, and text”any questions?