Set Clear Goals

Goal setting is a crucial step for employees on the road to achievement, personal satisfaction and career advancement. Assisting with setting clear goals makes the workplace a more cohesive place where everyone can work towards a common goal while satisfying personal goals.

Goal

Assist employees with their paths on career satisfaction and greater engagement.

What is Set Clear Goals?

Goal setting is the process of working with employees on personal and professional goals that advance their career paths. It can provide guidance and direction, facilitate planning, motivate and inspire employees and help evaluate and control performance.

How does Setting Clear Goals improve employee engagement and culture?

According to Gallup 72% of employees whose managers help them to set goals are fully engaged, and those rates increase by 2.5 when managers hold staff accountable for their performance goals. This is because when goals are set collaboratively, employees can see how their work contributes to corporate objectives and team missions. Employees want clear guidance that extends beyond their personal work and towards the greater company picture.

What are the benefits?

1. Provides direction

2. Clarity in decision making

3. Gives more control of employee’s future

4. Personal satisfaction

5. Focus on what is important at work

How do you help Set Clear Goals in the workplace?

Although goals are personal, it is important to help employees set goals that align with company objectives. There should be two-way communication and goals should be SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based. Continued monitoring and changing of goals may be needed in order to get the right “mix” that allows workers to be satisfied and motivated.

Action

Why Setting Clear Goals Is Important

1. Emphasize attainable goals: Goal-setting sometimes fails when the objective is too ambitious or simply unattainable, given the employee’s skill set and available resources. Burdening an employee with an unattainable goal can lead to frustration with the process and a resulting lack of motivation for further improvement.

2. Help set consistent goals for employees with similar responsibilities: Goal-setting is usually unsuccessful when framed as a contest or competition among employees. Avoid setting different goals for employees with similar responsibilities, and refrain from encouraging internal rivalries, which can lead to diminished morale and resentment for managers.

3. Reward employees who achieve their goals: It’s important to recognize employees who set goals and then achieve or exceed them. Not only does such a recognition honour that employee’s efforts, but it also demonstrates clearly to other employees that the company values this type of commitment and hard work.

4. Work with employees who miss their goals: In a situation where the agreed-upon deadline arrives and goals haven't been met, there should be an in-depth discussion about what went wrong, combined with encouragement to try again and address or rework the stated objectives.

Reference Material

SMART goals at work: examples for what, how & why

7 Tips for Effective Employee Goal-Setting to Boost Engagement and Productivity