I took on a new project recently and about six weeks into it, I realized I didn't know exactly what the desired outcome was - no one ever told me and I hadn't asked.
Sure, I knew what had to get done day-to-day, but I didn't know the ultimate goal. It was like driving around every day but not knowing where I was supposed to wind up. And if you don't pay attention and really clarify and define the ultimate goal of your department or company, you could end up just driving around day to day, too.
As managers - and certainly as an employee - it's very easy to get caught up in just accomplishing the day-to-day and short-term goals. But if you truly want to lead, you need to make sure you understand and clearly communicate to your folks what the end result is for any project, department or company.
In his " 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, " Stephen Covey explains the concept as Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind. Envision your department as you want it to be: How will it act? What will it accomplish? What will it look like?
Be specific, it makes all the difference. For example, say you run a help desk for a 200-person company. Your " end " may be: " My 10-person team will resolve all trouble tickets within 24 hours. Phone calls and e-mails will be returned within 15 minutes. Help desk staff will be helpful and kind to clients, and will be respectful of their questions, no matter how basic. We will be evaluated by our clients twice a year in an anonymous customer service survey, and 95% of end users will rate our service as 'excellent.' "
Say you didn't get specific and instead of the above you just went with the old standby: " Our vision is to resolve software and hardware problems for company employees. " There's a big difference between those two statements. Which do you think will get better results? Which will make you the better leader and will make your department more effective?
Remember also that a clear vision is worth nothing if it's not communicated to your folks. They're on this journey with you, and they need the information if they're going to help you get where you want to go.
If I asked you what your department or company's ultimate goal is, could you answer it? Could your folks? Take some time to think about that this week, and if the answer is no, start defining your " end. " It can make a big difference.
What are your experiences with mission or vision statements? How have you developed them, and more importantly, do you live them or do they just hang on the wall? Let me know at mshaw@nww.com.
RELATED LINKS
Melissa Shaw is managing editor of Network World. She can be reached at mshaw@nww.com.
Management Strategies archive
Past newsletters.
More on Habit 2 from Franklin Covey
A summary of Begin with the End in Mind
