A one-page no-fear approach to setting and achieving goals
When I worked for Citibank in the 1980s*, we had scary weekly meetings (aptly called "weeklies"). We all needed Depends for these intimidating sessions. A senior executive would sit at the head of the conference table and each executive would, in turn, report on his/her accomplishments for the week, detailed results, and goals for the following week.
If we had "failed" (i.e., not completed a commitment of the previous week), we were first grilled and then often publicly berated. One couldn't report a "problem" without presenting a possible solution. We were expected to be "buttoned-up" (a Citi-ism) at all times.
Clearly, it did not always result in the solving of problems, as evidenced by Citi's current stock price. However, I learned much about "process" and accountability from that oh-so-terrifying and exhausting experience.
Although I do not miss the pants-wetting fear and nausea that preceded each session, the notion of regular goal-setting, progress-reporting, and accountability lives on! Each month, our team creates a simple one page goal sheet (entitled "Where are We Going?") and we meet each day to chart progress. I am not always the "authority figure" at our daily huddles. If I cannot participate, my trusted associate Christian leads the huddle. And we often end with the question, "What can I do to help you do your job better?" (No one ever asked me that in the 1980s.)
We'll be publishing the "Where Are You Going?" tool kit in early 2011 (as part of our new publishing venture, nunumedia), so that other small businesses can design and implement their own version.
A process of goal-setting, accountability, and problem-solving is essential for any business, large or small. But remember, in the new millenium, team-building is in and ulcers are out!
*When greed and fear were guiding business principles