A. Agree on Goals and Key Results

Use Goals to Set Direction

In any team, it is important for everyone to be on the same page. No wonder companies provide orientation and onboarding for new hires. They are opportunities for new employees to learn more about the history of the company, the processes and systems implemented, and most importantly, the company goals.

Try putting yourself in the shoes of your newly hired remote worker. What if your supervisor or employer just told you to show up for work without telling you anything about your role and the objectives? How would you feel? You would probably feel so lost and left out. You feel your anxiety build up throughout the day, thinking that you have not accomplished anything and that would mean a negative mark on your performance evaluation.

This is where team goals come into play:

1. With clear goals in place, you will have something to work with. They will serve as your North Star, your guiding star. All you have to do is to follow it. Every decision you make and action you take as a team will be in accordance with your goals. If your whole team is working towards the same goal, achieving success and exceeding goals will be so much easier.
2. Every individual member of your team is not afraid to make the call. Another advantage of having clear team goals is that your team members become confident to make necessary decisions even without a supervisor’s approval or when in a position wherein they are compelled to make an urgent decision. This confidence comes from knowing that they are making a decision that helps achieve your team’s goals.
   
3.  You have a framework for holding everyone in your team accountable. At the end of the day or when it is time to evaluate what has been done or not done, your team members are able to justify whether their actions and decisions contribute to the achievement of your team’s goals.

Your goals as a team provide you with much-needed direction. If clearly expressed, these goals can help you resolve conflicts, expedite your progress, and provide valuable feedback, which are all crucial to strengthening your teamwork and improving your individual work performance.