Someone once asked me what goals should be set for a new hire.
My answer was simple:
– Exceed expectations.
– Impress me.
– Thrill our customers.
– Become invaluable to your fellow Team Members.
– Push yourself.
Situations evolve, circumstances change, reality intrudes. It is often hard to separate the impact on results of intelligent effort from the impact of chance. A rising tide lifts all boats and a raging storm delays even the best of ships and tries the skills of even the best crews.
Thus, when setting goals and targets I often set a range of outcomes with “acceptable” on the moderate side to “commendable” in the middle to “stellar” on the far upside.
In a volatile world, it can be difficult to predict just exactly what success will or should look like or in what manner it can be achieved.
Yet certain truths remain: If you can
– Beat the competition,
– Leave nothing major on the table,
– Exceed expectations,
you will have done very, very well.
Closing Quotes:
“Plans are useless, planning is invaluable.” — General George Patton
“No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy.” — British Admiral Nelson (giving orders on the eve of the Battle of Trafalgar in September 1805 for the proper course of action during the chaos of battle)
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,” Deuteronomy 10:12