Albert Einstein once said, “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.” That’s excellent advice, especially this time of year. What are your resolutions for the new year? How do they affect your performance as a leader? How will they impact your store’s bottom line?
5 Steps to Succeed With Your Resolutions:
- Consider your strengths and weaknesses. To really get to the heart of this issue, don’t rely only on a self-assessment. Find an assessment online that rates leadership abilities and ask your team members to fill it out anonymously. Then, compare those results to how you assessed yourself. Be open to the results no matter what they show.
- Create short-term and long-term goals. Your end-game is important, but sometimes large goals feel unattainable. Break them into smaller, short-term goals that will help you assess your progress – and celebrate small successes – along the way.
- Find the innovators on your team. Your team is your greatest asset when it comes to achieving your resolutions. Not only do you need their buy-in, you also need their ideas. Let all employees know that their ideas are welcome and encouraged. Respond to feedback promptly and award suggestions that pay off.
- Manage change effectively. Most resolutions require change, and that can often be hard for everyone involved. Show employees how the change you’re implementing will help the store reach its goals, provide career opportunities, and create a stable work environment.
- Don’t go it alone. Sometimes, you need to bring in additional resources to help you achieve your goals. Asking for help is not a sign of incompetence, it’s a sign of true commitment to your goals. Pinpoint the specific areas where you need improvement – communication, organization, financial management, whatever – and seek out the training and knowledge you need.
While most people — as many as 92% — fail to accomplish their resolutions, you don’t have to be one of them. Your professional goals for the new year are different from your personal ones. You may not lose 15 pounds or call your mother every Sunday, but you can have an impact on your store’s success. You wouldn’t be in the position you’re in if you couldn’t!
More Insight for Your Resolutions
For more tips on how to improve in the new year, check out the leadership episodes in the Culture of Convenience podcast.
