Your team is struggling to meet their goals. How can you help them turn things around?

1 Identify the root causes

The first step to help your team overcome their difficulties is to understand why they are struggling in the first place. Is it because the goals are unclear, unrealistic, or misaligned with the business vision? Is it because the team lacks the resources, skills, or feedback they need to succeed? Is it because the team is facing external obstacles, such as market changes, customer demands, or competition? To find out the root causes of your team's problems, you need to communicate with them openly and honestly, listen to their perspectives and concerns, and analyze the data and evidence available. By doing so, you can identify the gaps and barriers that are holding your team back and prioritize the areas that need improvement.

2 Adjust the goals and expectations

Once you have identified the root causes of your team's struggles, you may need to adjust the goals and expectations accordingly. This does not mean that you should lower your standards or give up on your ambitions, but rather that you should make sure that the goals are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By setting SMART goals, you can help your team focus on what matters most, track their progress and results, and celebrate their achievements along the way. You can also clarify the roles and responsibilities of each team member, align the goals with the business strategy and vision, and communicate the benefits and value of reaching the goals for the team and the organization.

4 Monitor and evaluate the performance

The final step to help your team turn things around is to monitor and evaluate their performance regularly and consistently. This means that you should establish clear and objective criteria and indicators to measure the outcomes and impact of your team's work, as well as the processes and behaviors that lead to those outcomes. You should also collect and analyze data and feedback from various sources, such as customers, stakeholders, or peers, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your team and identify the areas that need further improvement. Moreover, you should share the results and insights with your team, acknowledge their efforts and achievements, and provide constructive and actionable suggestions for improvement.

By following these steps, you can help your team overcome their difficulties and achieve their goals. Remember that as a business manager, your role is not only to set and assign goals, but also to support and guide your team along the way. By doing so, you can build trust and engagement , enhance performance and productivity, and achieve better results for your team and your organization.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?