📬 In This Week’s Issue:
Why most teams fail before they even start
A smarter way to set goals that actually get finished
The missing link between clarity and execution
Reader Q&A: “How do I stop my team from setting unrealistic goals?”
A weekly challenge to build momentum without overwhelm
Setting The Stage
Most teams aren’t failing because they’re lazy or unmotivated.
They’re failing because the goals were flawed from the beginning.
Big, flashy, quarterly targets sound great in a deck—but on the ground, they fall apart.
Without the right structure and buy-in, goals turn into wish lists. And when they aren’t hit? Trust drops, frustration rises, and momentum dies.
🔎 THE BIG INSIGHT
Teams fail because of two things…
Setting unrealistic or unclear goals.
Lack of execution.
Today, we’re going to discuss how to fix your goal-setting approach so it actually sticks:
1️⃣ Write Every Goal Down
If it’s not written, it’s forgotten.
Just like names at a dinner party, goals disappear fast without a physical reminder.
2️⃣ Focus on the First Step
Don’t obsess over the finish line.
Win by taking—and tracking—the very first step. Then the next.
3️⃣ Use Weekly or Bi-Weekly Goals
Stop planning in long quarterly chunks.
Weekly or bi-weekly goals allow for quick wins and realignment before momentum is lost.
4️⃣ Track Leading Indicators
Forget lagging vanity metrics.
Instead of “We need $500k in sales this month,” track “Call 100 prospects a day.”
Control what you can measure as you go.
5️⃣ Set Goals Together
People don’t want to be told what to do.
Bring them into the process. Shared planning creates shared ownership—and real accountability.
Takeaway:
Clear, actionable, team-driven goals turn intentions into momentum.
If you want a high-performing team, you need high-participation planning.
💬 READER QUESTION
Q: “How do I stop my team from setting unrealistic goals?”
Most “unrealistic” goals come from top-down assumptions without context.
Bring your team into the goal-setting process. Ask:
→ “What feels achievable given our resources?”
→ “What blockers do you see that I might be missing?”
→ “What would a strong first step look like?”
When people help build the goal, they’re far more likely to hit it—and hold themselves accountable along the way.
~ Chad Todd
This week, audit your team’s goals. Ask yourself: “Did we build these together, or did I assign them?” If it’s the latter… pause, recalibrate, and re-engage them in the plan.
