Do you remember the scene from Alice in Wonderland where Alice asks the Cheshire Cat, “Which road should I take?” The cat responds, “Where do you want to go?” When Alice admits she doesn’t know, the cat wisely says, “Then it doesn’t matter which road you take.”
In this video, I want to suggest an important regular meeting that can help your team avoid wandering aimlessly like Alice.
I’ve worked with leaders all over the globe, and time and again, I hear them talk about being too busy, struggling to prioritise, and not knowing which direction to take. They’re working hard but feel like they’re just spinning their wheels.
That’s where the Strategic Alignment Workshop comes in. This is a meeting I suggest having with your team every quarter, and it involves three key steps: Review, Clarify, and Commit.
Review: Start by looking back at the last quarter. As a team, review how you’ve been tracking against your goals. It’s important to focus on strategic priorities here, not the day-to-day stuff. This is about the bigger picture, the things that really matter.
Clarify: After reviewing the past quarter, it’s time to look ahead. Ask yourselves: Where do we need to go this quarter? What should be the top priorities for the team? What are the key things that, if achieved, will have the most impact? It’s about focusing on the few things that really matter.
Commit: This is where the magic happens. Everyone in the team chooses two to three key priorities, based on the discussion. And it’s a real commitment—each person takes ownership of those priorities and makes it clear that this is where their focus will be for the next quarter.
Now, here’s a tip: If you want people to truly commit, you need to create an environment where they’re willing to take risks. One way to do that is by not linking their priorities to remuneration. Let them feel safe to focus on what’s important, not just what’s tied to their pay.
Larry Page, co-founder of Google, was known for spending two full days each quarter working with his leaders to scrutinize and discuss their priorities. Two days! This kind of dedication shows that when priorities become the lifeblood of a team, that’s when the magic happens.
So, my question to you is this: Do you take the time every quarter to sit down with your team, discuss, and commit to a few key priorities? Do you stop regularly to ask yourselves where you’re going?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Hope you have a lovely day!
A bientôt,
Cyril
