Why your team should never set SMART goals.

When it comes to directing and focusing a team, there is no doubt that setting clear goals is essential. After all, a team can only endeavour to move fast if it is clear on its direction.

For a long time SMART goals have been the benchmark framework for goal setting.

SMART goals are:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Timely

For individuals, setting SMART goals addresses the core fundamentals of getting things done. But for teams however, they are at best limited and at worst can do damage to the team and its efforts.

FAST goals on the other hand are more suited to the needs of a team.

FAST GOALS are all about:

Frequent Discussions

Ambitious Scope

Specific Milestones

Transparency

Let´s break them down.

FREQUENT DISCUSSIONS

The dynamic environment in which teams work requires that there is a constant flow of information, feedback and adapting to the conditions. This requires that the team are engaged and openly communicating. Watch any sports team on the field and you will see this in action. Sometimes this communication is even no verbal, signals, body language, gestures ( a nod, a smile). A team that is in constant flow of communication.

AMBITIOUS SCOPE

While it is important the goals are achievable, in team setting, setting ambitious goals is more important. Why? Because ambitious goals generate positive energy, while low ambition goals do not, or in some cases generate negative energy. The team that brings the most positive, directed energy is the team that wins every time, and that starts with ambitious goals.

SPECIFIC MILESTONES

As the team works in this agile way, with communication flow and the ability to be able to adapt quickly, it is also important that the team knows what the key milestones are, and that they are specific and clearly understood. This grounds the team and ensures that all the energy and effort is being directed in the right way.

TRANSPARENCY

Research shows that the number one determinant of the success of a team is psychological safety. At an execution levels this is about transparency. Knowing what is really happening, and team members feeling safe to share the challenges experienced as well as the wins.

If you are looking to raise your teams level of performance, implementing FAST goals and not SMART goals is a good place to start.

If you would like to know more about how to leveraging the power of team dynamics click here.