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The beginning of a year provides a proverbial clean slate – a chance to create and develop new goals and ideas, the opportunity to close the books on one year and write a new ledger for a new year, and a time to realign your team around core values and focus.

In short, it is a great time to get back to the basics of values, vision, and goals. As a leader, you can’t lead your team in these areas if you have not taken the time to define them for yourself, both personally and vocationally.

1. Values

Do you know your core values? Core values differ for each person; they are the non-negotiables in your life and work. If you try to violate a core value or are pressed to do so by a situation or another person, you will sense a level of stress. This is an indicator that a core value is being tested.

For example, you may be the kind of person who must see results. If your team or an individual is operating at a level which does not bring visible results, you will experience stress.

You may be an advocate, and if you sense that someone is mistreated or not being served well, you will take action without as much as a second thought.

You may be someone for whom quality is a core value. There is something in you that demands high quality.

Core values are innate to who you are, and they must be the foundation for all that you do. Otherwise, your actions will be disingenuous, and you will not reach the levels of effectiveness you may desire to reach.

On a company level, clearly defined core values help establish the company culture and brand; and those core values, in an aligned company, reflect the values of the leadership as well.

One of Steve Jobs’ core values was aptly conveyed in an Apple slogan: “Think Different.” Steve Jobs was driven to change the world. It was a core value from which he could not be deterred. It was such a strong core value that it led to him being fired from his own company. But he did, indeed, think differently and change the world.

When a leader, a company, and a team align around central core values, the results can be phenomenal.

What are your core values?

2. Vision

Steve Jobs’ vision was to create innovations that changed lives. When you consider the last two decades, it becomes quite clear that the vision became reality. He and his teams, in thinking differently, created the tools that changed the world.

How are you using your core values to create a vision for yourself, your team, your company, and your world?

3. Goals

Once the core values and vision are defined, the next step is tangible and practical. It is a matter of laying out the goals that will help you live your values and create the vision. If your vision is to change the world (or at least your part of the world) in a certain way, how exactly will you do that?

What are your goals related to your vision for the year? For the quarter? For the month? What do you need to “Start Finishing”?

4. Team

Goals are best achieved when set in accordance with values and vision and when carried out with carefully executed strategy. This is where team collaboration becomes a clear differentiator. A cohesive team working together toward a goal is a powerful force.

Are you, as a leader, capitalizing on the strengths of your team?

Are your team strengths targeted strategically toward the goals you have clearly defined?

Equipped with values, vision, goals, and a strong team, you can be off to a great year!

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For more resources on how you can create a strong team to carry out core values, bring vision to reality, and reach goals, click here to learn about the Maxwell Method of Communication Impact Report.

As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, Deb helps leaders and their teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.