One Minute Goal Setting is the first secret of the One Minute Manager's approach. This technique is all about setting clear, concise, and mutually agreed-upon goals with team members at the outset of a task or project. # Purpose By using One Minute Goal Setting, you can ensure that everyone is clear on their responsibilities and can measure their success. It's a powerful way to increase productivity and keep everyone aligned on what needs to be achieved. # Technique 1. **Specify the Goal:** Clearly define the goals that need to be accomplished. Goals should be readable in one minute, while goal setting might take longer. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). 2. **Write Down the Goal:** Documenting the goals makes them tangible and serves as a constant reminder of what needs to be achieved. The goal should be brief, ideally fitting on a single sheet of paper. 3. **Understand the Goal:** Both the manager and the employee should have a shared understanding of the goal. This involves discussing the goal until both parties are clear about what it entails and how it aligns with overall business objectives. 4. **Review the Goal:** Regularly review the progress towards the goal to ensure that it's being effectively pursued. This helps to identify any roadblocks early and adjust plans as needed. 5. **Provide Feedback:** Provide regular feedback on the employee's progress towards the goal. This can be praise for good work or constructive feedback on areas that need improvement. # Example Let's say you're managing a content writing team, and one of your goals is to increase the volume of high-quality content produced each month. - **Specify the Goal:** "Our goal is to increase our monthly content output by 20% without compromising on quality." - **Write Down the Goal:** Document this goal and make it visible for everyone on the team. - **Understand the Goal:** Discuss this goal with your team, explaining why it's important and how it aligns with the company's broader objectives. - **Review the Goal:** Regularly check-in on the progress towards this goal, looking at both the quantity and quality of the content produced. - **Provide Feedback:** Praise your team when they're making good progress towards the goal, and provide constructive feedback when necessary to help them improve.