I think it’s a duty of leadership to simplify the message.
After all, how can anyone follow you when they don’t understand your values or which direction is a priority?
For example we have the unifying objective approach with lots of little goals to help us achieve the overarching goal.
My goal for this group is for the tournament to end and for us all to lie down exhausted, comfortable in the knowledge that we gave it our all.
Whether we get knocked out in the first round or go the whole way and win the entire thing, I want us to feel like we left no stone unturned.
To achieve this goal in the lead up to the tournament we’re going to explore our strengths and weaknesses, we’re going to push each other to achieve better and above all we are going to focus on effort not outcomes.
Now compare that to the far too confusing multiple conflicting objectives approach.
We want to win at all costs but also go out there and have some fun!
We’ve got an audience here today so let’s put on a show but don’t lose the game whatever you do!
Nick is screaming at everyone else because he believes they have to win at all costs.
Freda is getting angry with Nick because he’s ruining her fun day out.
John comes off the pitch expecting praise for attempting a cross field kick only to be lambasted by the coach for it resulting in a try against us.
A team that has everyone on the same page pulling in the same direction is a sight to behold and it can all stem from a leader who takes the time to work out what they really want from the team.
Thomas Duggan 