S3 E104 – Define Clear Success

S3 E104: Defining Clear Success 

In this episode of For Love of Team podcast, host Winston Faircloth delves into Chapter 2 of his new book, 'Team Love: 28 Ways to Demonstrate Caring at Work.' Winston shares insights on the importance of clearly defining success for your team. He recounts a metaphorical race with no finish line to illustrate the necessity of setting clear markers of achievement to maintain momentum and alignment. Winston provides practical steps for leaders to establish observable success markers and pair them with a compelling why, enhancing team alignment and accountability. Listeners are encouraged to translate these steps into their projects for optimal success. 

00:00 Introduction to Season Three 

00:23 Chapter 2: Defining Clear Success 

01:50 Defining Success and Setting Goals 

03:19 Action Steps for Team Success 

04:30 Conclusion and Listener Engagement 

#TeamLOVE Book. Join the bold book writing journey as we write and share our first draft chapters from our upcoming book - Team Love: 28 Ways to Demonstrate Caring at Work here in season 3 of the For Love of Team podcast.

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Transcript

Judith: Welcome to season three of the For Love of Team podcast. 

This season, we are taking you behind the curtain as Winston Faircloth writes his new book, Team Love, 28 Ways to Demonstrate Caring at Work. [long pause] Each week, we will share excerpts from a new chapter, sharing the key concepts and takeaways to help you support your team as a visionary leader. 

In this episode, host Winston Faircloth delves into Chapter 2 of his new book  

Now here is your host, Winston Faircloth.  

Chapter 2. To find clear success. It's a bright, crisp fall morning. A little after sunrise, thousands of runners, joggers, walkers have gathered near the starting line. Warming up, an announcement fills the air. Ladies and gentlemen, our leadership is [00:01:00] excited to announce a new feature for our region's premier athletic event that will challenge and push the limits of your endurance. 

Winston Faircloth: This will make our event the most unique race in the country. Instead of our race ending up in town center, we are going to eliminate the finish line all together. Have fun. Go as far as you can and have a great time, everyone. Gasps and moans fill the air. Imagine the immediate reaction of those gathered to participate. 

Some catch the vision of chasing individual achievement and decide to give it a go. Others decide this is not what they signed up for and they go home. And another group may decide to self-organize and set their own finish line. Well, [00:02:00] once we craft a picture of our compelling why and pursuing change, the next most important thing we can do for our team is to clearly define what success looks like. 

Knowing those mile markers along the way builds a sense of momentum and achievement. A series of bullet points or simple sentences can begin to paint a picture of observable ways everyone can see progress within the project. These can answer whether a task is complete, when it's needed, and other measures of achievement. 

Written purposely, these can also provide great latitude on how progress and success can be obtained. Often, we think a project charter fills this need, outlining purpose and participants. Yet, without success statements, two people can see progress and successful achievement very differently. Instead of an [00:03:00] indefinite finish line left to everyone's imagination, let's offer a compelling why paired with several observable what statements that outlines what success looks like. 

Freeing team members to bring their unique contributions to the effort, clearing a path to success, Unlocking creativity and commitment within your team. Ensuring alignment, accountability, and achievement within reach of each team member. So for further action, let's take this step together. First, begin with your priority project with a compelling why that you've already defined. 

Now brainstorm three to five observable markers of project success. State these simply in the present tense. Make these within the control of the person responsible for its success. And these can later build one upon the other as a latter future [00:04:00] success. When complete, Pair these what statements with your compelling why for maximum impact. 

Recommend that you save the how for later. Share the why and the what with the team member or members responsible for the project. And then check with them for comprehension, alignment, and agreement. If needed, have them restate the why and the what in their own words. Reflect any wording changes that make the statements even more impactful. 

And make this your accountability and alignment document going forward. 

Judith: Thanks, Winston!  

We invite you to share your feedback and biggest takeaways on our website at for love of team dot com slash blog and look for today’s chapter episode. 

Thanks for listening.  

Remember that by loving our people who love our customers, your visionary [00:05:00] leadership comes to life.  

We hope to see you next time on the For Love of Team podcast.