Maintain energy by marking progress

Leaders need to set ambitious goals for the future, but we also have to keep the team going along the journey. Maintain energy by marking progress.

“Are we there yet?” Ring any bells? Parents are well-used to providing frequent reassurance to children that we ARE going to reach the destination eventually. But as leaders, we often forget that it’s just as important to mark progress towards our goals.

It’s right that leaders are comfortable in setting out ambitious, often far-reaching goals for the future, and creating momentum in the team towards the destination. But change is hard work, and it’s often only part of everyone’s day job, so it’s inevitable that energy will flag at times.

We often cite the saying that ‘every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ – but omit to mention that it continues with single steps too. How you mark those steps and maintain energy on the journey is key for change leaders.

To keep the energy up, you’re going to need your team to be in no doubt that their hard work is paying off, and that they’re getting closer to the destination with each step they take. Just reminding them about the wonderful final destination isn’t enough – you need to mark progress along the way.