iscommunication, lack of motivation, and conflicting priorities can sabotage even the best-laid plans. But a structured, repeatable process — something I call business rhythms – ensures that every action moves the organization forward.
When employees understand how their daily work fits into the bigger picture, they feel more invested. They stop viewing tasks as isolated checkboxes and start seeing them as essential building blocks toward success.
Many of the most successful companies in the world have mastered the art of aligning broader business goals with their team’s day-to-day tasks. Back when I worked at Uber in 2014, the company had a highly structured process. Every year, we set a single overarching company goal, a theme that every department, city team, and employee rallied behind.
Each team then created its own objectives (OKRs) that directly tied back to that company-wide mission. Leadership didn’t operate in a silo, every level of the company contributed insights, which led to smarter, data-driven decision-making. The result? A fast-growing, highly motivated workforce.
Nike is another great example. Their strategic plan lays out 29 specific targets, each tied to measurable actions that contribute to the company’s long-term success. Employees aren’t left wondering what they should be focusing on. Every initiative, every project, every individual effort drives the company towards its broader purpose. That clarity is what fosters motivation and keeps teams moving forward.
The good news is that you don’t need to be Uber or Nike to get this right. You can implement the simple system below to improve alignment:
Establish a Clear Cadence for Goal Setting and Reviews
Regular check-ins ensure that everyone in the organization is forming good habits, and that goal alignment doesn’t just become a once-a-year checkbox.
Adopt a Bottom-Up Approach
Your team is closest to day-to-day operations. Giving them a voice in the goal-setting process not only empowers and motivates them, but also leads to innovations that might be otherwise invisible to management.
Document and Track Progress
Use a shared spreadsheet, dashboard, or project management tool so that every team member knows exactly what they’re working toward. Make sure it’s organized in such a way that everyone feels comfortable referring to it, a document that no one looks at is dead.
Reassess and Adjust
Goals aren’t set in stone. If something isn’t working, adjust before it becomes a bigger problem
Without these elements, businesses fall into a reactive mode, constantly putting out fires instead of proactively working toward long-term success. Aligning goals with your team is a continuous process, an ongoing rhythm that keeps your business strong, your team engaged, and your goals within reach.
Stay Connected with Kelly
Kelly Feeney consults and advises business leaders on strategy, planning, and execution. As an Operations Exec, Kelly has led teams as large as 300 with budgets of $100M+ at enterprise companies like Uber and Airbnb.
Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn or learn more about her work at Kairos Studio.
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