Fulfilling The Goals Of Others
Posted by Mitch Mitchell on Aug 15, 2012
Lately I've been reading a lot of things about goals and dreams. I actually wrote a post about it on one of my other blogs, where a friend of mine shared his dream and is living it these days; the post has become quite popular, which is always nice.
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I've been working on coming up with a dream myself. I have goals and the like, but truth be told I'm not really passionate about any of them, and that just won't work. I used to be passionate about a few things here and there, but over the last couple of years, as the realities of mortality and economy have gotten into my mind, I feel more like I've been going through the motions most of the time, doing what I'm supposed to do and just settling for that.
That's never good, however, and thus I'm recommitting myself to finding a real dream, something to work towards, so I can perk myself up, feel that extra energy, and really push towards ultimate success. Who wouldn't want to wake up every day feeling like that?
If you're an employer or a manager of people, one of your responsibilities is to help your employees figure out their goals on the job and also help them in attaining what they see as a wonderful workplace to be. The majority of workers get up in the morning dreading going into work. Is it the work, the people, the environment... what? It could be the money, but there might not be anything you can do about that.
Instead, it's incumbent upon leaders to try to figure out ways to make the word environment a place where employees want to come. Why is that? I'll give you 3 reasons, though there are plenty more.
One, if they love coming to work they won't call in sick all that often, if at all. If you can create an environment where you have to force someone to go back home because they're not feeling well, you've accomplished a lot.
Two, if they love coming to work they'll be more apt to stay at the job rather than go looking for other jobs. All studies point to the same thing; the majority of people don't leave for more money, they leave because they either feel unappreciated or unchallenged.
Three, you might not see that as your role but think about what your role is. Employees that are happy work better; that's the fact. Doing whatever you can to keep them happy, within reason of course, is crucial to production, accuracy and efficiency.
How can you do any of this? Just ask them; I bet you'll learn a lot.
It is important to have at least one goal in life.
The timing is important if you are investing, but people always think of a goal at the appropriate time for them.
My goals are constantly changing and it is never too late to form a goal.
Yes you do Michael, but if you’re the leader of others sometimes it’s your role to set goals for people, talk to people about them, and then figure out how to help them reach those goals if it’s possible. That’s the symbiosis between employer and employee that I feel is missing often in working relationships.
Keep others motivated is difficult, overdoing it can also kill the motivation for work. I have been in both situation manager and employee, one of my bosses was overdoing buzzing everday and I can say that nobody used to stay in this company for more than few months, mainly because those were empty promises. I have seen many other wrong approaches with team building, for example activities that only boss or manager wants to attend. At another company the boss was so overwhelmed with personal problems and angry, so everybody started ignoring him. Again, I think it is about balance and I think the right approach is team building and friendship between employees, but again this can be also dangerous, some may fall in love and other main team up and become competitors.
You’re right Carl, there has to be a balance, otherwise it’s just words that no one pays any attention to.
Hi Mitch. Well, you are right about the things an employer should do to make his/her employees work better. This way, they will be more productive and happy at work as well. Anyway, have a good day Mitch. 🙂
Thanks deanne. Everyone wants to be happy at what they do.