How well do you know the personal aspirations of your team members?

Ever found yourself in the awkward position of having to ask your team, "Why didn't you get this stuff done?" It feels almost like we’re a nagging parent, and no leader should feel this way. So how do we soften the blow?

If I had to sum it up in one sentence I would ask you:

How well do you know the personal aspirations of your team members? 

If your answer hovers around "Mmm, not much," you're not alone. It's a common narrative in leadership, where the personal goals of our team are about as known as the loch ness monster. 

To be a great leader, we must recognize that people don't just work for your company out of love for the brand or the mission; they're there because they believe this job will help them achieve their personal goals more effectively than another job would.

If they come to believe another opportunity will get them to their goals faster, they're likely to leave, often citing reasons like better pay or benefits, when in reality, it's all about their personal progression.

So, what can we do about it?

The solution involves getting to know both the personal and professional goals of your team members. (A goal-setting exercise should do the trick)

Seems easy right? It probably is. But there is one thing I’ve left out and it happens to be the hardest part…

You also must share your professional and personal goals.

Let that sink in for a moment…

Most of us have never done or thought of it until now and that’s completely okay!

You don't have to share absolutely everything, but I heard this once and I think it speaks to the topic pretty well.

“Vulnerability is a leader's greatest source of strength.”

By being open about your own hopes, fears, and dreams, you demonstrate to your team that you're all in this together, working towards individual and collective success.

You have the opportunity to show your team that you’re just like them and that you too have goals and challenges.

Now, while this may seem weird to some of us, sometimes we can all forget how much our roles impact our relationships and people's perceptions of how they should treat us. Like a boss, like a coworker, or like a friend. 

It helps in creating an environment where everyone feels understood and valued, not just for their professional contributions but as individuals with unique aspirations.

In essence, taking the time to understand and align with your team's goals is not just about improving productivity; it's about fostering a more engaged, motivated, and cohesive team. 

When people feel that their leader cares about their personal growth and success, they are more likely to be committed, loyal, and driven towards achieving the collective goals of the team and the organization.

Feel free to copy paste this message to your team in case you are ready for instant implementation (Bonus Points if you do!)

“Hey! I just learnt about this new thing, curious if you’d be open to us both exchanging and sharing some of our personal and professional goals on Monday? What do you think?” 

Go leadership!