Setting short-term and long-term goals as a leader
Quality leadership is centered around being responsible, having integrity, and bringing out the best in others. While decisions are not always easy and employees will occasionally not agree with your standards or regulations, good leaders will still retain the trust and confidence of their staff. While these qualities are noteworthy, being able to set and follow through with short-term and long-term goals are also key elements of what makes a strong leader.
Before implementing these goals, leaders should ensure that all of their team members are on the same page and fully aware of what you are trying to accomplish. Hold regular meetings to not only inform your staff once, but to continually remind them and support them through the process. Here are reasons why setting goals at your organization is important:
- Short-term: These goals build up your team's confidence and spirit. Achieving individual or collective benchmarks in the short-term will help your team feel like they are doing a great job and indicate to you their strengths and weaknesses. If you are new to the position, these goals will demonstrate to your staff your expectations and leadership style without causing significant friction.
- Long-term: Once you have established and attained several short-term goals, leaders can begin implementing a few long-term objectives for the entire team. For example, one long-term goal could be to drastically change your child care facility's schedule or curriculum to better meet your children's needs. Long-term goals are vital for continually improving the quality of care your facility provides.
At ProSolutions Training, we offer early childhood education training and online child care training for interested professionals. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
