Leadership in Action: In Focus—Getting Results—The Leadership Value of Setting Priorities

CONFLICTING GOALS

Sometimes leaders can't reach their goals because they have other, conflicting goals that siphon their attention and energy. These conflicting goals may not even be operating at a fully conscious level, but they can stalemate leaders and make them unable to reach their known goals. It is helpful for leaders to become aware of these competing priorities so they can reach their primary goals.

For example, an executive may have set a goal of working out every day after work, yet she usually finds an excuse not to do it. Frustrated, she asks herself what her real commitment is here and determines that her commitment is to be healthy. She then looks at her behaviors and sees that she is not scheduling her workouts on her calendar ...