December has arrived.

This month, many of us reflect on the current year to identify our accomplishments, disappointments, and missed opportunities.

We seek to learn from past mistakes and plan to execute new strategies with energy and enthusiasm. We resolve to change what’s wrong and make it right. We head into January committed to work harder and smarter with a burning desire to achieve greater results than ever.

Some of us will think, plan and act this way. We have ‘the want.’

Unfortunately, some people you lead don’t want to do any of this.

Leadership Tip

Identify the actions you can take to have those around you develop the “want” you seek.

Yes, you want them to be engaged. You want them to be creative. You want them to give you extra effort without asking for it. You want them to work as one team versus a collection of silos.

You want them to want what you want.

Here are a few suggestions to accomplish this:

1. Tell them specifically what you want with clearly stated expectations and consequences.
2. Repeat #1 often and consistently.
3. Show them with your actions the commitment you have to get the “want”.
4. Listen and ask what they need from you to deliver on the “want”.
5. Encourage them to get the “want” through coaching and positive reinforcement.
6. Follow up with rewards and recognize them for meeting or exceeding expectations.
7. Replace those who don’t want what you want with people who do.

The specifics of the “want” vary from leader to leader and business to business. That’s why it’s important for you to be clear on your “want”-then effectively communicate it and hold people accountable for achieving it.