Most leaders that I know and all CEO’s that we work with are taking their teams offsite right now to prepare for 2017. Depending on the size of your leadership team, we typically encourage leaders to hire an independent facilitator. This way you can participate in the planning process with your team and not have to carry the weight of the meeting.
Whether you hire a facilitator or run the meeting yourself, we always suggest that you, as the leader, precede your company strategic planning session with a solo planning retreat. This way all of your personal/ professional plans or action items will be placed in your calendar prior to your company plans. In fact, we just finished up an event that we offer to leaders, just like yourself to
The health of an organization is directly related to the health of it’s leader.
Here are 4 proven steps to guide you through the planning process for 2017 :
1. DOCUMENT your desired outcomes and strategies:
a. Select a tranquil place other than your office or home to plan. Unplug from your cell phone, laptop and responsibilities. Take time to unwind and get yourself into a quiet, inspired space.
b. Make a list of the areas of your life that are most important to you. (Faith/Family/Fitness/Finances/Friends/Fun etc.)
c. Isolate each area and then document your desired outcome or a picture of a preferable future on December 31st, 2017.
d. List the actions or commitments that you will do to achieve that desired outcome. Ask yourself, “What am I willing to do daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually to achieve my vision.” Use the SMART formula – goals should always be: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Sensitive.
2. COMMUNICATE your plans to others: Sharing your goals with others verbally will bring your great intentions to a whole new level of commitment. Whether it’s your boss, colleague, coach, advisor, mentor, spouse, business partner or team members – the practice of sharing your plans with others invites outside perspective which can enhance our plans but it ultimately adds a new level of accountability.
3. INTEGRATE your plans into your calendar: Once your goals and actions become SMART, it is easier to integrate them into your calendar. Many of our leaders will color code them in their calendars scoring to the different areas so they can see their calendar as a dashboard that tells the story of their time priorities. We also set alarms until the action becomes habitual.
4. INVITE accountability: It can be challenging to expect a friend or colleague to connect with you frequently to serve you by reviewing your plan. This is not impossible though and helps if you go through this process with that person and there is mutual benefit. Our clients contract a coach to enjoy complete confidentiality and demand a time and frequency that is convenient for them. Regardless of how you choose to do this, invited accountability is the chief element of high-performance.