MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 7 Oct 2005 Slide 1 of 17

Team Goals & Time Management

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 2 of 17

Team Goals The organizational vision must be understood

by all The team should have a part in setting the

vision and goals Reduces barriers to change Encourages team members to be more committed

If the leader is in too much of a hurry and does not involve their team in decision making, team involvement may be lost

“Without involvement, there is no commitment”.

Stephen Covey

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 3 of 17

How Do Goals Help the Team Accomplish the Mission? Provides the team meaning and purpose Shows the team where it is going Shows the team where it is Shows the team when it has arrived

“An effective goal focuses primarily on results rather than activity.”

Stephen Covey

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 4 of 17

Army Considerations For Setting Goals

Goals must be realistic, challenging, and attainable

Goals should lead to improved combat readiness

Subordinates ought to be involved in the goal setting

Leaders develop a plan of action to achieve each goal

FM 22-100, paragraph 5-56

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 5 of 17

Make Goals SMART!

SMART Goals:S – SpecificM – MeasurableA – AttainableR – RealisticT – Timebound

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 6 of 17

Does This Goal Meet the Test?

Our team goal:Perform well at Ranger Challenge.

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 7 of 17

Compare Goal to SMART

Our team goal:Perform well at Ranger Challenge.

Is this goal:S – SpecificM – MeasurableA – AttainableR – RealisticT – Timebound

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 8 of 17

Practical Exercise:Make the goal SMART!

Break into groups Take five minutes to discuss/refine goal Be prepared to brief the class

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 9 of 17

Group Time Management Time management implies many things: What amount of time should the team spend on

each task or goal? What is the most important? What tasks should the team forget all together? How much effort should the team put into each

task? The same amount? Who should do what?

“Management requires ...the power to do something when you don’t want to do it…” Stephen Covey

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 10 of 17

Tools for Time Management Prioritization Meetings –Agendas and Recorders Delegate Planning Eliminate Distracters Divest Non-congruent Tasks

More on some of these topics in MSL 202, Lesson 2b, Advanced Time Management

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 11 of 17

Prioritization There are many ways to prioritize Basing it on what we need to do today may

force us into a crisis (react) mode Sometimes we prioritize based on our

perceived importance There are many constraints that affect our

methods of prioritization –time, resources, etc.“Importance…has to do with results. If something is important it contributes to

your mission, your values, your high priority goals.”

Stephen Covey

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 12 of 17

Meetings Meetings are not always the answer to time

management Properly run meetings can be very productive Good meetings have an agenda which is strictly

followed, and a recorder who captures issues Good meetings require prior communication

and coordination “Well-planned and well-led meetings are a valuable mechanism for

accomplishing diverse goals…”

Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J.

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 13 of 17

Delegation A leader must become skilled at relating the

task or goal to the right person or team Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy state delegation is

important because Delegation frees time for other activities Delegation develops followers Delegation Strengthens the Organization

“Delegation is often an overlooked and underused management option.”Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J.

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 14 of 17

Planning Develop a written plan (include your

goals) Use a calendar, checklists and milestones Keep abreast of details, direction and

progress Strong planning will help avoid becoming

stuck in a crisis mode“Planning will set you free.”

Dave Ellis

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 15 of 17

Eliminate Distracters Meeting interruptions Nonproductive requirements and “waiting” Goals that do not contribute directly toward the

organization’s mission or vision Some distracters are controlled by the boss Sometimes teams create a list of rules to prevent

distractions No socializing once a meeting begins No answering the phone during a discussion No projects or goals that do not contribute to the mission/vision

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 16 of 17

Divest Non-congruent Tasks

Most organizations engage in work that does not contribute directly to the goal or mission

Review all projects or tasks; ask “does this contribute to the vision or goal?”

Be prepared to divest some enjoyable or fun tasks

This requires group determination and commitment

“Managing time is as much about dropping worthless activities as about adding new and useful ones.”

Dave Ellis

MSL 202, Lesson 2a: Team Goals & Time Management

Rev. 10 Oct 05 Slide 17 of 17

Summary

Each of us must learn the fine art of working with groups, facilitating the development of team goals and ensuring the team manages time in order to be successful.

If you don’t know where you are going – any road will get you there…