Every year, leaders gather their department heads to plan and strategise for the upcoming year. But before that, they should take time to think and reflect on what they have accomplished, what went wrong, and what needs improvement. Specifically, there are three critical areas to consider: vision, people, and personal growth.
Vision: Thinking Upwards
The primary responsibility of any leader is to create a vision for their team. Where are we going? What are we becoming? Leaders need to articulate this vision clearly, capture it in a sentence, and share it compellingly with their team. A clear vision provides a sense of direction and purpose to everyone, enabling them to work towards a common goal. It also helps to differentiate between tasks, goals, milestones, and vision. Tasks are on the left, and vision is on the right. Tasks done right lead to goals being achieved, goals achieved lead to milestones being unlocked, and milestones unlocked lead to the vision being fulfilled.
People: Thinking Outwards
No vision can be achieved in isolation. A team is needed to make it a reality. Leaders must consider their team’s motivation, organisational culture, and whether their current skill set is relevant. The people are key to building a sustainable organisation. Leaders must invest in their people’s growth and development to compete more effectively on a global stage. Building a sustainable company in the 21st century is challenging, but it is possible by building a strong team.
Personal Growth: Thinking Inwards
Leaders should reflect on their personal growth regularly. The growth that we embody inside is always reflected outside. Therefore, it is essential to have a growth mindset. Leaders should ask themselves questions like “Am I growing?” If they’re not growing, their leadership capability will stall, and they would be able to bring their organisation to the next level.
In conclusion, leaders should remember that thinking is the hardest work. But it is essential to decide and plan to make it a successful year. Taking time to reflect on vision, people, and personal growth will help leaders create a roadmap to success.
