A business coach once told me that behind every business objective is a personal objective.
Since then, whenever I’m working with a client I try to understand their personal objectives and needs as much as their aspirations for the business. Of course, sometimes the personal objective is financial: if a certain profit or sales value is achieved, the executive can earn a bigger bonus or get the maximum payout from the sale of the business.
Other times, however, the personal objectives are less obvious. Achieving a better promotion or establishing a clear legacy can both be important personal drivers that lie behind business objectives.
I’ve worked with some clients where the real objective is to make their life less stressful. For one client, for example, the real aim behind improving his team’s ability to work together was so that he would worry less about his team’s performance and get a better night’s sleep!
Do you understand the personal objectives of your teams, colleagues and stakeholders? If not, taking the time to understand the objectives behind their objectives may help you to build a better, more productive organisation.
Perhaps even more importantly, do you understand the personal objectives that lie behind your own business goals?
Off The Record: Sometimes (Lester Piggott) by James
Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes
I swear I can see your soul
Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes
I swear I can see your soul