#13: Is our company’s goal meaningful to the people that really matter?

It’s been said that ‘people without goals always end up working for people with goals’.

This is why the better your goals are defined, the easier it is to attract and retain better people.

Makes sense.

In fact, it’s been my observation that goal alignment between a business and the people it employs is essential to success.

Maybe you’ve noticed that too?

For example, if your primary goal is making money, then you need to hire people whose primary goal is also making money. Their behavior will be driven by your shared goal. And you’ll motivate them accordingly.

But maybe your primary goal is something different.

(In fact, maybe it should be something different?)

Richard Branson created Virgin Atlantic with a goal of giving customers the service he thought they deserved and weren’t getting from his competitors.

And he hires people that share that goal above all else.

As they say on their website …

“We have high standards and to be honest it can be hard to get a job here. We all take pride in recruiting people that are right for the job and people who can really deliver what we’re looking for.”

Maybe shared goals should be right at the top of your list of ‘must haves’ when you’re looking to recruit superstars.