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There’s something about a New Year that inspires us to set personal and professional goals. The problem is that only 16% of people who actually set these goals ever achieve them. Most give up within six weeks of starting to work towards their goal.

If you’re a manager, setting professional development goals is essential for elevating your career. These goals can be professionally and personally satisfying if you can achieve them. But are there achievable goals to help you get where you want to go? This blog will give actionable tips for establishing goals to be a better manager and leader this year.

Best Goals for Becoming a Stronger Manager and Leader This Year

There are many ways you can work to become a better manager and leader in 2023. Some suggestions include:

  • Develop your communication skills
    As a manager and leader, it is important to communicate effectively with your team and other stakeholders. Better communication includes listening actively, giving clear directions, and constructively provide feedback. But, because we’re living in a remote world now, these communication skills must stretch across everything from writing an instant message or text, to video conferencing, in addition to traditional face-to-face communication. Which area of communication feels strongest in your skillset and which area should you improve this year?
  • Embrace continuous learning
    If you want to become more effective as a manager and leader, your goal should include constant learning and growing both inside and outside work. This goal can involve taking courses or workshops, reading articles and books, or seeking out mentors to coach and further your knowledge. If your company doesn’t offer additional training, thousands of paid and free educational opportunities are online now. The question is: Which way do you want your career to go?
  • Build a strong team
    Good managers surround themselves with top-notch employees. Finding a good team starts with the hiring and onboarding process. Then you must build a positive, supportive environment for their team of A-players. To do this, you must build trust with clear communication, provide resources to further employee professional development, and support and encourage collaboration and teamwork.
  • Set clear goals and expectations
    It is important to set clear goals and expectations for the team’s work to help them be successful. Establishing these expectations includes setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, as well as providing resources and support to help them achieve those goals. You can start this process by setting SMART goals for yourself then expanding the process to your entire team for higher productivity, motivation, and engagement.
  • Practice empathy
    When was the last time you asked your employee how they liked their jobs? Have you ever sat down with your team members to ask them about their career goals? Do you know enough about the employee to understand what motivates them? Strong leaders practice empathy and understanding toward their team members. This empathy requires putting yourself in their shoes and showing concern for their well-being.
  • Be a role model
    You must strive to be an excellent example for your team to follow. This effort includes being punctual, reliable, and professional and exhibiting the values and behaviors you want your team to embody.

Achieving these goals will take effort, but the journey is always worth it. However, sometimes you’re in a work environment holding you back. If you’re considering a way out, talk to the recruiters at Stellar Staffing. We work 1:1 with managers like you to help them meet their career goals. How can we help you today?

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