Issue 50: Set Your Team Up To Win Next Year —Aligning Your Team Around a Shared Goal

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."

— John F. Kennedy

Happy holidays!! It's Christmas week and can you believe we’re already staring down the start of a new year? There’s no better time to pause, refocus, and make sure your team is rowing in the same direction.

Here’s the thing: Without a clear, shared goal, even the hardest-working team can feel stuck. People end up frustrated, burned out, and spinning their wheels because they’re not sure what’s most important. And let’s be honest, when priorities are all over the place, no one feels like they’re winning.

Here’s what happens when your team doesn’t have alignment:

• Confusion and frustration: No one’s really sure what’s expected of them, so they either overwork or wait for more direction (or both).

• Competing priorities: Without clarity, it’s easy for people to pull in different directions—and that can slow everything down.

• Missed opportunities: When the team’s focus is scattered, the big wins slip through the cracks.

Sound familiar? The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way.

What You Can Do Instead:

Get crystal clear on the goal:
Your team needs a north star—something specific, meaningful, and realistic. And here’s the kicker: Don’t just pick a goal that looks good on paper. Make sure everyone knows why it matters. When people understand how their work connects to the bigger picture, they’re way more motivated to deliver.

• Quick check-in: Does your current team goal feel clear enough for everyone to rally around?

Involve your team in the plan:
This one’s a game-changer. Instead of just handing down the goal, ask your team for their input. What do they think is realistic? Where do they see challenges? When people help shape the goal, they’re automatically more invested in achieving it.

• Try this: Ask your team, “What’s one thing we could all focus on next year that would really move the needle?”

Keep the goal front and center:
Setting a goal isn’t a one-and-done deal. Bring it up often—in team meetings, 1:1s, or even casual check-ins. Celebrate small wins along the way and use the goal to guide decisions when things get messy.

• Quick tip: Start your next meeting with a reminder of why the goal matters and how you’re progressing so far.

Reflection Time:

• If I asked your team what the #1 priority is for the next quarter, would their answers match yours?

• What’s one obstacle standing in the way of your team’s success, and how can you help them clear it?

• What’s a small win you can celebrate this week to create momentum?

When you’re clear about where you’re going—and your team is all-in on the journey—it’s like flipping a switch. Suddenly, everyone’s pulling together, making progress faster, and feeling good about what they’re accomplishing.

If you’re ready to start the new year with a focused, aligned team that knows exactly where they’re headed, let’s chat. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll create a plan to make it happen.

Next Week's Preview:

Next week, we’ll talk about building influence when you’re not “the boss.” Spoiler: It’s not about having a title—it’s about showing up as someone people trust and respect.

Go out there and lead,

Asia