Make a Plan…Work a Plan by Matt Forbis

Make a Plan...Work a Plan

(it is always easier to find the way with directions)

by Matt Forbis, ΚΚΨΚΚΨ ΚΚΨΚΚΨ ΚΚΨ Southeast District President

Outlined in one of Kappa Kappa Psi’s newest publications, The Guide to Leadership Development, are several keys to successful leadership and advancement. One of these is “goal setting.” Now many people have heard those words and understand what they mean, but how many have actually used a specific process to reach those goals? Would someone leave his or her house for a destination without having any knowledge of how to get there? Often the goals people set are admirable but are never quite reached. Why the goal was not achieved is never understood. Keeping in mind that leaders are found at all levels of membership in our organizations, to truly be an effective leader, regardless of position or title, goal setting must be combined with making and working a careful plan of action to achieve that goal.

In the goal-setting process there are several smaller steps that need to be followed to ensure success. As a leader of a group (be it ΚΚΨ, ΤΒΣ, or otherwise), you have already accomplished the first task. An opportunity has been seen and a goal has been set. The important step is to now achieve that goal. The first order of business is always to keep people informed. By knowing exactly how a goal is going to be met, fellow members will be more motivated and more able to assist. More often than not, goals can be broken down into smaller parts, or specific tasks, which leaders can delegate to other members. This not only makes the task easier but also gives others an exact purpose, a precise way to contribute, and a sense of being needed as an intricate part of the group. This is very important to motivation and support.

When most people hear the word “deadline,” they almost immediately associate a negative connotation. Most often it is not the deadline itself that is unpleasant but what happens when a deadline is not met. Deadlines are important to the goal-setting process in order to create a timeline and a means to check progress. These deadlines are not a way to control the actions of those that are working toward a goal, but rather are a way to better plan in time the exact steps (“milestones”) toward achiev-

ing the goal. Deadlines are also a way for everyone involved to gauge their progress and their contribution toward achieving the larger goal. Now that a goal has been set, smaller tasks have been delegated, and milestones have been set, what’s next? It is time to get to work! As a leader, not only is it necessary for you to monitor the progress of the plan of action, but it is also necessary for you to pitch in and do a fair share. By doing this, you act as a positive role model for those looking for direction and motivation.“It does no good to decide to Leaders gain respect and coopera“achieve but have no plan on tion from those that work with them and are able to achieve the “how to do it…it is not only goal even faster. During the actual “important to set the goals for work phase, constantly keep the plan in mind and monitor the “the organization but also to set progress of those that have been delegated responsibility. At times,“a careful plan for achievement people will need words of encour“and make sure it is agement, praise, and even criticism (although remember to keep it “implemented effectively.” constructive and to the point). This will ensure that everyone stays properly motivated and on task. Keeping everything above in mind and following through with the plan, the goal can be achieved with great success. This, however, is not the end of the process. Truly great leaders evaluate progress all the time, not just at the conclusion of the process. The final evaluation should include the contributions of all that had a hand in the process, at each step along the way. Note the things that worked and those things that didn’t, so that you do not experience the same situation in the future. In the end, a well-conceived goal and well-implemented plan always will lead naturally to another opportunity and therefore to the next goal. From there the process starts again. To get anywhere in life, you have to know how to get there. This applies both literally and figuratively. It does no good to decide to achieve but have no plan on how to do it. That shows great ambition but little logic or preparation. For leaders, both in the bands and in the fraternity, it is not only important to set the goals for the organization butalso to set a careful plan for achievement and make sure it is implemented effectively.