Clearly defining and aligning goals and responsibilities for the team is crucial for your success as a leader. It is important that all members of the team know what is expected of them. In order to do this, team goals and responsibilities need to be clearly identified prior to starting work. Teams that lack clear goals, focus or direction can quickly develop poor dynamics, as people struggle to understand their role in the group.

Achieving goals does not just happen by sheer miracle. Goal setting is a process that includes a vision, planning, doing and achieving. There are several steps you can follow so that a team can come together as an effective unit, and run smoothly in due course.

1. Mission statement
   Create a mission statement based on the same principle as the one we discussed in the blog “Create a Mission Statement”. Ideally, the mission statement is created in the early stages of the team formation.
2. Compelling direction
   In a next step, define clear objectives of the team; what the expected outcomes are; composition and roles; what everybody’s responsibilities are; monthly, weekly, daily goals etc. Make sure that everyone has a copy of the document, and remind people of it regularly. It will serve as a roadmap and give direction to the team members when times get tough. To set the actual goals, an effective way is to use the SMART concept by Peter Drucker (see details in the box below).
3. Role clarification
   At times, work and duties of team members can change due to workload pressures, new team members or other related events. It is vital to clarify the required changes in duties and responsibilities so everybody is on the same page.
4. Team potential
   Working together well means that we respect and truly value each other’s differences. It makes no sense for a cricket team to pick 11 fast bowlers! Diagnosing your team’s challenges, strengths, and performance opportunities can both provide a starting point and a benchmark for achievement. Engage the team to collectively select the action steps they will take to unlock the team’s potential.
5. Priority catch-up
   A brief weekly catch up can be helpful to reduce mental overload. Every team member can name their two priorities for the week, which encourages the individuals to be realistic and focused in their work. This practice not only forces people to decide what really matters during that upcoming week, but is also an opportunity to redistribute work.

If you want your team to harmoniously and efficiently work together and reach the set targets, clear goal setting is an absolute must. Without goals, you and your team lack focus and direction. By following the above 5 steps, you can successfully define goals and responsibilities within your team, and enjoy the gratification of knowing that you are well on your way to achieve your vision.