I was talking with a friend the other day about implementing change to create growth, and I was reminded of a five-step process that has been cemented in my mind as a result of my experiences. Each of us has our own way of doing things, but there are a few common, underlying principles that seem to work in the various aspects of our lives, whether those be at work, with various organizations, in our family lives, or with our hobbies. Whether you are the leader or a team member, you can help by seeing that these five steps happen. See if you agree.

1. Create a vision. If you are leading the charge, you better have a plan you can clearly communicate to everyone involved. If you are not leading the charge, you have every right to ask what the vision is. Plans do change, but we all need to know the overall mission in a way we can understand — and the simpler that vision is, the better.

2. Clearly define expectations. Each of us plays a role, and each role is equally important. A football team may have a linebacker who dominates every defensive play, but that doesn’t mean the team is going to win. Every player must do his or her part to be victorious. If you are the leader, clearly define everyone’s role and the expectations you have — in writing. If you are another part of the team, ask what is expected of you, and then make sure you do it.

3. Hold everyone accountable. The first two steps are useless unless this step is implemented. Criticizing those in charge is easy, and most all of us have done it. This criticism is often a result of us responding to being called out when we don’t do what we were supposed to do. But if what is expected of us is clearly defined and agreed upon, then we have no right to criticize — and we don’t need to make excuses. We simply need to face up to our shortfalls and regroup so we succeed on the next step.

4. Celebrate the victories. Taking time to enjoy our successes and applaud each other’s work are vital. Studies show that most all of us appreciate bonuses and perks, but the No. 1 thing we want is a thank you. As a boss, an employee, a co-worker, a parent, a child, a sibling or a friend, we want to know we are appreciated. That’s why we need to make time to celebrate the victories and thank each other publicly and in meaningful ways.

5. Rinse and repeat. A guy I used to work with on our company outings would often tell me, “You are only as good as your last event.” His point was that nobody cares about your prior successes; they only care about what you are doing right now. So we celebrate our successes, and then we get back to work and figure out how to do it again… and again… and again.

Does all this ring a bell? Do you do something similar in your work or personal lives? Drop me a note and share your experiences.

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707