During the last 5 years when speaking to or working with organizations, I have personally surveyed well over 1,000 individuals from small business owners to Fortune 1000 executives and have learned that everyone wants success. Yet, if this is true, then why dont we as organizations or as individuals have more success?

The answer to this question lies within the ability to consistently plan, set and execute goals. However, the knowledge and skills necessary to learn how to set goals is not a recognized course in most high schools or even colleges. Without knowledge and skills, developing positive attitudes and habits necessary for consistent goal achievement are even more difficult to realize.

Years ago, Zig Ziglar recognized that consistent goal success must include specific criteria much like the proportional ingredients in any favorite recipe. The criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistically Set High, Target Date/Time Driven) are well accepted among most goal achievement workshops. However, in todays world, goal achievement must include the W.H.Y. - Written, Habit Forming and Yours.

When individuals learn how to set and achieve their own goals, the likelihood increases for management to achieve theirs. The challenge by management is to link organizational goals to personal goals. By helping employees first achieve their own goals, this will catapult organizational efforts and employees begin to take ownership of the business goals.

To further increase the wins for management means to infuse goals within other areas such as performance reviews and project management. Of course total success is dependent upon an executable strategic plan that is regularly shared and updated with all employees.

Employees should also have their own strategic plan or action plan that looks to six key areas of personal development:

• Mental
• Physical
• Family
• Social
• Career/Financial
• Ethics/Beliefs

When these areas are balanced to the four key areas of the organization that being time management, productivity, sales and leadership, creates the whats in it for me (WIIFM) that leads to whats in it for us (WIIFU).

Consistent goal achievement is both a skill and an attitude. When management embraces this simple strategy, the organization can quickly double results and move forward at warp speed.

P.S. Read the previous article How to Improve the Management Wins for Winning Business Teams Part 6: Build Organizational Alignment