The Metiss Group's Blog

Any parent with more than one child knows how different they are (pet owners know this too).  In sports, most of the great coaches are successful because they know each player requires a different type of leadership.  Unfortunately, many leaders have one leadership style they apply to each of their direct reports and expect their direct reports to excel.

Everyone has different behavior styles and workplace motivations.  Some direct reports respond best with a firm message, others with a gentle nudging, and others with lengthy conversations.  Some people are motivated by recognition, some by money, and others by altruism, etc.  The best leaders take time to understand their direct reports’ differences and tailor their leadership approaches to each person.

Empowered leaders understand their direct reports’ behavioral styles and motivations, apply unique leadership approaches, and are more successful.

At the beginning of the year organizations set their annual goals and most leaders, in turn, set their team’s annual goals.  Goal setting plans should not stop there.

If performance against goals is to be measured and achieved, each annual goal must have shorter sub-goals.  Leaders and direct reports should set and review these sub-goals regularly – ideally as part of their one-on-one meetings.  The organization’s annual goals should be a primary focus for leaders and each of their direct reports as they review progress weekly.

For example, if the organization’s sales goal is $10 million, a sales person’s weekly sub-goal might be to make 20 calls to prospective customers and set three appointments.  Leaders should not be as concerned with what their direct report’s sub-goals are, but whether or not they lead to accomplishing the organization’s annual goal.  If the monthly or quarterly goals are not being met, it allows leaders to have healthy conversations about what has been done, and what adjustments might be helpful.

Leaders who make sure each of their direct reports clearly understand the organization’s goals, and empower direct reports to set and achieve their sub-goals will experience more success.