Setting goals to succeed and flourish together

It's that time of the year again: goal setting. If you're anything like I used to be, you probably read that first sentence and rolled your eyes. Goal setting used to feel like such a chore to me. Why should I bother with it? Who actually pays attention to these goals? Besides setting some KPIs, why am I putting in so much effort into this instead of focusing on actual work? Whose benefit does this serve?

My perspective on all these questions shifted when I encountered the boss who would become my first secure base as a leader - and what a transformation in mindset that was! For the first time ever, I had someone who made me realize that goal setting was solely for my own success, not for anyone else. These goals were to serve as the yardstick against which I would measure my growth - my moment of truth. Then came another eye-opening realization: my success was his goal, and ultimately his own success. Not because he was ticking off some secret KPIs based on my performance that I wasn't aware of, but because he genuinely cared about my professional growth and performance, and he believed in me wholeheartedly. This trust and encouragement gave me the wings I needed to fly. The support to dare, explore, and take risks in a safe space where I knew he would always be there for guidance and backing if needed, moulded me into the professional and leader I am today, still aspiring to grow further. His ability to see the potential in me that I was unaware of changed me and shaped how I perceive and experience hashtag#leadership today. The five years under his guidance were and continue to be the most fulfilling in my career, inspiring me to pay it forward to someone else.

So, as you gather with your team to set their goals this time of the year, ask yourself - are you a secure base for them? Are you providing them with the right blend of care, safety, challenge, and risk? Are you pushing them to achieve what they are truly capable of? Remember, as a leader, your role extends beyond setting goals; it encompasses nurturing a culture of support, growth, and empowerment within your team. The legacy of a truly impactful leader lies not only in achieving goals but in fostering the personal and professional development of those they lead. Be the kind of leader who not only sets goals but also inspires others to exceed them; who not only measures success but also cultivates it in others. In doing so, you will not only elevate your team but also leave a lasting mark on their individual journeys.