One of the tasks that come with being a leader is setting goals. Goals for ourselves, to be sure, but almost always we absolutely need set goals for our groups/teams or the larger organization. While we may instinctively understand that we should add many people in the creation of goals they will be working to achieve, too often the press of instant and the lure of expediency leaves leaders setting the goals, and simply sharing them with those charged with achieving them.

The Four Reasons

There are four significant reasons why we need to get others involved in generating of the groups goals. Any one of these are reason enough to create a conversation about the goals rather than creating a PowerPoint presentation with the goals already formulated.

* To gain Agreement. There are actually two agreements you want to grab .

1. Agreement on what the goal actually is.

2. Agreement that the target is worthwhile and beneficial.

Once you have these agreements you will increase the clarity of the desire for every one . Goal clarity in itself has a very positive impact on ultimate goal achievement. With agreement you will increase focus on the goal as well. Take the measure to create both of these agreements and you have a stronger chance of achieving the next merchandise . . .

* To create Engagement. Notice I said engagement not buy-in. I know we all talk about wanting all the people to "buy-in" to our ideas and plans. And, given the choice between having everybody who are "bought-in" vs. all the people who didnt care or disagree, I choose the former. But engagement is more than "buy-in." When people are engaged in an idea they are committed to it. They feel ownership for it. They have thrown more than their hat into the ring, they have thrown their heart in too. Once people are engaged in the desire you may capture what comes next . . .

* To set Collective Consciousness. Have you ever noticed that after you buy a new car, you see "your" car everywhere? The reason this occurs isnt because thousands of all the people followed your lead to buy the identical car you did. It happens because of your Reticular Activating System. Our Reticular Activating System works as a filter helps us notice things we are focusing on or are interested in. Once all the people are fully engaged in a desire their subconscious mind goes to work and the Reticular Activating System helps. People will start to see things that will be resources, methods or clues to achieving the wants. Sparks will fly between many people on the team and progress could be achieved more quickly than could be logically expected.

* To manifest Synergy. We have people work together because we understand that together we can achieve more than we might separately. This is the definition of synergy. If you prepare your goals in a vacuum and present them to the group the chance for you to achieve team synergies is virtually nil. The whole point of a group working towards a desire together is to acquire synergy. If you want it, you have to let everybody help create the targeted goals they will be directly involved in achieving.

Getting others involved in the creation of the goals is more than just a sizeably efficient idea. It is more than just the right thing to do. It is the most important step you may take to improve the likelihood that a desire that is set, is reached.

So when you have a desire to be achieved with the help of others, keep these four reasons in mind and generate the time to create the massive benefits described here.

That measure and effort is the best insurance policy you might buy to improve the chance your goals will be achieved.