Performance management includes having the ability to make plans for your goals and follow up.  Here are 8 steps to take:

1.  Write down a plan including your clear goals, deadlines and checkpoints along the way.  Summarize the major actions that will be taken, by when.

2. Brainstorm for next steps.

3. Choose the best next steps and write down specific feasible next steps.  If you have a long time line to the final deadline, it is OK to have a gap between the next steps and the final actions to be taken.  In the old days we planned all the intermediate steps and wrote up a beautiful 5-year plan for complex projects.  We learned that things change too much, causing us to revise this lengthy plan too often.  Generally, it just got tossed.  All that work sat on a shelf because it had become out of date.  So be practical.  Be content with your long-range goals and your next steps.

4. When you are close to completion of your next steps, choose new next steps and write those down.  Writing makes the brain work to find more clarity.

5. Delegate responsibility for the actions when possible.

6. Set follow up dates to discuss results.

7. At predetermined checkpoints, evaluate results.  As necessary, revise plans and redirect efforts.

8. When you meet your goals, celebrate and appreciate the work of others.

You can improve your ability to make good plans and follow up through our individual and Group Executive Coaching – performance management is an entire Module of our Virtual Workshop Series, Leadership Communication® :  How to Communicate with Emotional Intelligence for Powerful Leadership (http://www.EmotionallyIntelligentLeadership.com ),

and Self-Study Program (http://www.EagleAlliance.com/services/gec/ssinfo ).

Copyright © 2009, by William R. Murray, President of Eagle Alliance Executive Coaching, LLC.  Reprint rights granted to all venues so long as this article and by-line are printed intact with all links made live.