The Importance of Goal Setting

A critical step to achieving exceptional performance is goal setting. Clear goals and corresponding measures, ensures employees understand what is important to succeed.

Ken Blanchard, in Customer Mania!, tells the story that when he was a college professor he used to give the final exam at the beginning of the course, and then spend the rest of the course teaching students the answers so they would know how to be successful on the final exam at the end of the course.

Real life should be like that. We should know what the final expectations are in advance, so we can develop the skills necessary to be successful.

Goals are set at the top and cascade down through the organization. Personal goals must be clearly linked to organizational goals. There should be a clear line of sight between the goals at the top of the organization to each individuals goals and activities. Every employee should be able to see how there daily activities align directly to and are supportive of the overall organizational goals.

For example, if an organizational goal is to increase sales, as a server, I must be able to see how my daily activities deliver excellent customer service and translate into a happy satisfied customer who will return often and tell their friends about their experience.

Only when each employee sees the importance their daily activities play in achieving overall goals will they internalize the organizational goals and recognize how valuable their contribution is to the success of the organization.

Cheers!