Resolutions Are Dead. Goals Are the Blueprint for Success.

It’s the start of a new year—the time when everyone seems to be making bold resolutions and vague promises about change. But as a leader, you know better than anyone that declarations without a plan are little more than wishful thinking. So, let me ask you this: Are you pushing your team to make empty resolutions, or are you leading them to createtoward measurable, actionable goals?

Why Resolutions Are Bad for Business

Resolutions might sound good on paper—they’re decisive, definitive, and give an air of confidence. But let’s be honest: they rarely survive contact with the real world. Ron Macklin, a veteran leader who’s built world-class teams and shattered performance records, has seen it firsthand. Resolutions, he says, are like planting a flag without building the foundation. They’re static. They’re rigid. And they’re destined to fail.

Why? Because resolutions are just declarations. No strategy. No flexibility. No built-in accountability. They say, “We’ll do X,” but they don’t map out how to get there. For a business, that’s not just ineffective—it’s dangerous.

Goals: The Framework for Growth

Goals, on the other hand, are where the magic happens. They provide clarity, direction, and the ability to adapt as circumstances evolve. When Ron led a team at Siemens to be voted “the best place to work in Houston” while also driving $20 million in profit growth, it wasn’t because they set resolutions. It was because they set goals—big ones—and then broke them down into achievable steps.

Take Ron’s company today, MacklinConnection. Their goal? To transform the world by enablinghaving 50,000 people to participate ingo through their programs. But that number didn’t come out of thin air. It’s part of a well-defined plan: start with one, then ten, then 100, and so on. Those are the interim goals that create momentum. And unlike resolutions, goals come with strategies, measurable outcomes, and the flexibility to pivot when necessary.

The Problem with Resolutions: No Flexibility, No Progress

Resolutions are fixed and absolute, which sounds good in theory. But in practice, this rigidity is a liability. When conditions change—and they always do—resolutions crumble. Goals, however, evolve. They allow for shifts in strategy without losing sight of the bigger picture.

Imagine telling your team, “We’re going to double revenue this year.” Great resolution, right? But without a clear roadmap—specific targets, interim milestones, and room to adjust—you’ve just made a hollow promise. And when the first quarter numbers fall short, morale tanks, and the entire initiative risks collapse.

With goals, you can say, “Here’s where we’re going, and here’s we need your input on how we’re going to get there.” You empower your team with clarity and the confidence in them  to adapt.

Goals Drive Strategy and Execution

The beauty of goals is that they’re actionable. They force you to think not just about the destination but the journey. Interim goals—the smaller targets along the way—become the stepping stones that keep your team focused and mobilizedtivated.

For example, if your goal is to increase market share by 15%, that’s not just a number—it’s a strategy. It means defining the markets you want to dominate, identifying the resources you need, and aligning your team around the specific actions that will move the needle.

How to Lead Your Team with Goals

As an executive, your job is to inspire vision, but more importantly, to chart the course. Here’s how:

1. Set the Direction: Start with the big picture. What’s the ultimate outcome you want to achieve?
2. Define the Interim Milestones: Break the goal into smaller, measurable targets. These are your short-term wins that build toward the larger objective.
3. Stay Agile: Be ready to adjust as new data, challenges, and opportunities arise. Flexibility isn’t weakness—it’s strategy.
4. Hold Yourself and Others Accountable: Build accountability into the process. Assign ownership, measure progress, and celebrate wins and your learnings alonglearnings along the way.

The Question for 2025: Are You Leading with Purpose?

As you set the tone for the year ahead, ask yourself: What do you want your team—and your business—to achieve this year? Are you giving them the tools and clarity they need to succeed, or are you setting them up to fail with empty resolutions?

Goals aren’t just targets—they’re the blueprint for success. And as a leader, it’s your responsibility to design that blueprint, execute on it, and adapt it as needed.

If this framework resonates, consider joining our executive leadership community. At MacklinConnection, we help leaders like you build high-performing teams and foster the kind of culture that creates results. From actionable strategies to relationship-driven leadership principles, we’re here to help you achieve your goals—and set your team up for success in 2025 and beyond.

This is your year to lead boldly. Let’s make it happen. We challenge you to share with us one goal for 2025 you have created with your team.  

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