The Importance of a Shared Goal

21. Jun, 2011 2 Comments

His feet were positioned correctly and his gloved hands gripped the cold metal. He had seen others do it and now it was his turn. I stood behind him holding the seat as he tried to find his balance. We both had one goal in mind and we worked together to accomplish it.

I’ll admit it wasn’t easy. Running up and down the street hunched over a wobbly bicycle left me breathless. It all started when my son decided he wanted to learn to ride a bike. We agreed it was a great goal and we both believed it was a goal within reach.

It didn’t happen overnight but within a few weeks we could both see the progress. It was rewarding to see the momentum building as we worked together. He was staying up longer, peddling smoother, and strengthening his confidence. He was fully engaged in reaching the goal.

Everyone likes to see progress. Where there is a shared goal, progress is strengthened, excitement grows and confidence increases. A shared goal generates momentum and draws the team into becoming more engaged.

Leaders exist to bring momentum to a team by identifying shared goals. It isn’t the leaders responsibility to create the goals and make assignments but to engage the team in a healthy debate to determine the goals.

“As people debate an issue thoroughly, they develop a deep understanding of the underlying problems and opportunities and the imperatives for change. They put their fingerprint on the decision. Because they achieved a collective understanding, they are capable of executing collectively.” (Multiplier’s, Liz Wiseman)

A healthy debate leads to a clearer understanding of the problem and how to solve it. When one person controls solutions, progress is limited. But insight and solutions become more evident when a team is encouraged to wrestle with a problem.

I would have been hard pressed to help my son learn how to ride a bike if his fingerprint had not been on the decision. His desire and energy coupled with my protective measures ultimately lead to success. When we decided together what needed to be done we both gave our best to accomplishing the goal. We shared the effort, the risk, and the success. Teams that contribute in developing the shared goal will prove to be more engaged in giving their best effort, sharing the risk and ultimately celebrating the success together.