This year….don’t make one.
Instead of setting goals for this year, focus on values. There is a let down when you achieve a goal or frustration when you don’t. Values are forever. You will never achieve a value. Take honesty for example. Focus on honesty in 2014. Be honest in your communication with others. Use your emotional intelligence to decide how your words will affect others. Giving honest feedback is essential in helping others improve their performance. Try this formula. State the facts as you know them. ‘You are still making mistakes in the payroll figures. Here is an example.’ Tell the person how this makes you feel. ” I am frustrated and disappointed that this still continues after our last discussion’. Finish with a statement of what you will do if this occurs again and what you want done to correct the situation. ‘I need you to make an extra effort next payroll and double check for errors. Don’t give me the final figures until you are certain they are accurate. If your performance doesn’t improve, I will need to go down the road of performance management. I am sure you don’t want that, do you?’
Remember the Losada ratio. Six positive comments to one negative. People seem to listen to the negative more if their positive contribution has been acknowledged in the past.
So in 2014, pick on some values to work on. Maybe honesty, acceptance, assertiveness, compassion, generosity , responsibility, mindfulness. For your organisation, make a similar choice. You can’t go wrong with choosing service, respecting clients, industry and focus.
Have a great start to 2014.
