As a leader, you have probably set goals and designed a strategy for 2021 and the budget is in place. Then all that remains is: Figure out what we are going to do to reach/beat the budget. Or: How are we going to ensure that strategic and operational decisions are translated into action?

A study published in the Harvard Business Review (1000 companies, conducted over 5 years, in 50 countries) showed that this is precisely the biggest headache for managers! So maybe it applies to you too?

Who hasn't been part of the following: The top manager enters the general meeting and goes through the strategy for the next period. 50 slides. The review takes 90 minutes, and everyone smiles and claps. You leave the meeting thinking: What does this mean for me and what I will do in the future?

Here lies the key to success: How can you as a leader ensure that the strategy is "translated" into something that is meaningful for each manager and employee?

Here are 6 practical tips on what you can do:

 

1. Decide, together with the leadership team, which goal is most important to achieve in 2021

Most businesses operate with too many goals. This leads to a lack of focus on what is important. Ask yourself: What is most important for the board/owners that we achieve in 2021 – what does success look like to us? There is usually one goal/number in the budget, and that is the minimum of what is expected. All the other “goals” are often consequences of whether we reach the main goal, and can be followed up as KPIs.

2. Commit members to the goal; it must be motivating and engaging

We experience all too often that the participants in the management team have not fully understood, or taken into account the goal. The goal can be the number in point 1, or what you and the management team really want to achieve – an ambition beyond the budget goal. Regardless, the goal you choose is what you will manage by; the Management Goal. All the most important activities to be done in 2021 should revolve around achieving this.

3. Describe together what you must have done in 2021 as a team to make it happen

Once the management goal has been set, it is important to do the following exercise: What do we need to have done, together , to achieve this? These are the team's Must-Win-Battles that are intended to stimulate collaboration across departmental boundaries and prevent silo thinking. This part of strategy implementation is overlooked by many, but is crucial in terms of unleashing the potential of the team. It also makes it clear to everyone that it is the team together that succeeds – it is not the case that some in the team succeed and some do not.

4. Break down the team's goals into clear, individual work goals with deadlines

Consider the Must-Win-Battles from the point above, and see who in the management team has partial responsibility for this? This will be the starting point for establishing individual work goals for the period. Choose the 2-4 most important ones and describe what is the most important thing that must be done in the next 2-4 months; Work goals - with deadlines and clarification of the effect that points towards the management goal.

5. Spend time with your leadership team on regular goal follow-up to ensure you are doing the right things.

Briefly review the status monthly in relation to goal achievement in the future , it contributes to focus and predictability. Everyone in the management team participates and presents the status of their goals; Will I achieve my goals in the future – Yes or no? The answer is given based on what you know today, and Yes does not mean it is certain, No does not mean that you have given up.

Let the team members give each other input on what they think the others should do, make decisions that can help increase the chance of achieving the goal, and make sure everyone leaves the meeting on a high note!

6. Give your employees freedom in what they do, but be firm on the goal

All experience indicates that firmness and focus on goals are important, combined with freedom in how tasks are solved. Unfortunately, experience here is that many leaders make mistakes and manage activities. You have hired your leaders because they are the best at solving tasks, right?

Follow up with them on their goals and achievement. If someone says they won't reach their goal(s), your job is to ask, "What can I do for you to help you reach your goal?"

These 6 simple steps will contribute to targeted activities, team interaction, predictability and increase the chance of success!

But also remember that it is not through beautiful forms, Dashboards and Excel models that you achieve your goals. It is through good leadership, coaching and guidance and collaboration. In short; what happens in the relationship between the participants in your team!

Get in touch if you would like to hear more about how we at Considium, who are specialists in precisely this, can contribute to your success in 2021.

We at Considium are good at assisting and advising leaders in these types of processes: We have extensive experience, and use simple tools. And, we know that the best leaders use help to make it happen!