Goals - Competency
Definition: Goal setting involves the ability to establish and define aspirational, stretch, and strategic goals. It encompasses prioritizing, optimizing, and aligning these goals to ensure coherence and focus. Additionally, it requires understanding, creating, and utilizing performance metrics to track progress and success. Effective goal setting also includes setting and adhering to timelines while minimizing distractions. It involves coordinating multiple goals simultaneously and providing the necessary support, resources, and feedback to others to help them achieve their objectives.
360-Feedback Surveys Measuring Goals:
Survey 1 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 2 (4-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 3 (5-point scale; Competency Comments)
Survey 4 (5-point scale; radio buttons)
Survey 5 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 6 (4-point scale; words)
Survey 7 (5-point scale; competency comments; N/A)
Survey 8 (3-point scale; Agree/Disagree words; N/A)
Survey 9 (3-point scale; Strength/Development; N/A)
Survey 10 (Comment boxes only)
Survey 11 (Single rating per competency)
Survey 12 (Slide-bar scale)
Survey 13 (4-point scale; numbers; floating anchors)
Survey 14 (4-point scale; N/A)
What are Goals?
Goals serve as essential drivers of personal and organizational success by providing clarity, direction, and measurable objectives. The process of creating, defining, and setting goals establishes a structured framework that enables individuals and teams to prioritize their efforts effectively. Establishing SMART goals ensures that objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, allowing for strategic alignment with broader company initiatives. By clearly defining aspirational yet attainable goals, professionals can challenge themselves to progress beyond past achievements while remaining adaptable to evolving circumstances.
Beyond goal-setting, effective execution requires a commitment to prioritization, optimization, and adherence to timelines. Managers and employees alike must ensure that goals align with strategic objectives and organizational needs, breaking down larger aspirations into manageable milestones. A strong focus on resource allocation, scheduling, and performance metrics allows teams to track their progress systematically.
Additionally, understanding the rationale behind assigned goals fosters engagement and accountability, empowering individuals to stay motivated and actively contribute to shared success.
Organizations thrive when goal-setting is supported by ongoing feedback, collaboration, and a structured approach to measurement. Providing necessary resources, guidance, and coaching ensures that employees remain focused on achieving objectives while avoiding distractions that could hinder progress. Flexibility is also key, as modifying goals based on real-time insights can enhance efficiency and long-term success. By integrating multiple dimensions (e.g. strategic foresight, commitment, and adaptability) goal-setting strengthens organizational resilience and empowers teams to navigate challenges effectively while maintaining a clear path to achievement. Why are Goals important?
Goals are important in that it they establish focus and direction for a business helping to align the efforts of employees. These goals can motivate and engage employees by giving them a clear purpose and a sense of accomplishment. Goals also provide a framework (or benchmark) for measuring performance. Performance metrics help evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies. Goals also help to determine where resources should be allocated. Goals also establish lines of accountability and responsibility. Goals are also used in strategic planning. What are key aspects of setting Goals?
- Setting and Creating Goals
- Follow Up on Progress
- Understanding and Defining Goals
- Prioritizing and Aligning Goals
- Setting Aspirational Goals
- Strategic Goals
- Understands Metrics
- Creating Measures of Progress
- Performance Metrics
- Sets Timelines
- Adhering to Timeline
- Avoids Distractions
How can I improve goal setting?
- Understand SMART Criteria: Familiarize yourself with the SMART criteria for goal setting (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). This framework helps you create clear, actionable, and attainable goals.
- Involve Your Team: Engage your team in the goal-setting process. Encourage input and collaboration to ensure that the goals are relevant and meaningful to everyone. This fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.
- Align Your Goals with the Organization: Ensure that your goals are aligned with the broader objectives of the organization. This creates coherence and ensures that your team's efforts contribute to the overall success of the company.
- Communicate Clearly: Clearly communicate the goals to your team. Make sure everyone understands the objectives, expectations, and their roles in achieving the goals.
- Develop an Action Plan: Create a detailed action plan outlining the steps required to achieve the goals. Assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and allocate resources effectively.
- Monitor Progress: Regularly monitor and track progress towards the goals. Use performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure advancement and identify areas that need adjustment.
What questions could you consider for including on a 360-degree feedback assessment regarding Goals?
The questionnaire items below will measure Goals. These questions are grouped into different facets of goals. When creating a 360-degree or other performance assessment, try to select one or two items from each group. 360-Feedback questions that measure Goals
Creates GoalsCreates Goals focuses on establishing well-defined, measurable, and task-specific objectives that provide clear direction. This dimension highlights setting SMART goals, tailoring them to the specific needs of a project or situation, and ensuring they align with the broader organizational vision. It prioritizes creating structured goals that foster continuous growth and improvement.
- Creates several short-term goals to achieve quick wins, while also setting longer-term goals based on evolving strengths and achievements.
- Initiates each coaching session by establishing the goals to be achieved.
- Creates goals that are specific, measurable, and time-bound, ensuring that progress can be tracked and evaluated effectively.
- Establishes goals that are both attainable and ambitious.
- Creates situational and task-specific goals that help to provide clear direction and purpose.
- Establishes and documents goals and objectives.
- Contributes to establishing personal goals.
- Creates goals based on the specific needs and challenges of each task or project.
- Establishes goals that are tailored to the specific context and requirements of each situation and task.
- Creates goals are aligned with the broader vision and mission of the organization.
- Creates goals that are situationally and task specific.
- Establishes goals that guide towards continuous growth and improvement.
- Creates clear goals that allow for better prioritization, resource allocation, and tracking of progress.
- Actively participates in the establishment of SMART goals.
Defining GoalsDefining Goals focuses on the process of clearly identifying and articulating objectives. This dimension emphasizes determining what needs to be achieved, ensuring relevance to a specific scenario, incorporating diverse perspectives, and laying the foundation for success. It involves analyzing needs, refining goals for ongoing improvement, and establishing measurable criteria for attainment.
- Determining what needs to be achieved.
- Involved in the defining of objectives.
- Ensures goals have relevance to a specific scenario.
- Incorporates diverse perspectives when defining goals.
- Defines goals on a path of ongoing improvement.
- Actively participates in defining and setting objectives, ensuring that a variety of input and perspectives are considered.
- Defines clear and specific goals.
- Defines goals that are directly relevant to the specific scenario so that individuals and teams can focus their efforts more effectively and efficiently.
- Defines goals to reduce operational costs and measures attainment by comparing current to previous expenses.
- Begins each coaching session with a determination of what goals should be achieved.
Sets GoalsSets Goals highlights the active implementation of objectives in various contexts. This dimension is centered on applying goal-setting across personal, departmental, and organizational levels. It includes setting stretch goals, prioritizing tasks effectively, maintaining focus on the end result, and fostering accountability in achieving milestones.
- Participates in the setting of self-goals.
- Helps to set goals for the organization.
- Sets goals for themselves professionally.
- Sets challenging stretch goals
- Sets high expectations and goals; encourages others to support the organization.
- Sets objectives that push boundaries yet remain achievable to foster growth and motivation.
- Participates in the setting of departmental goals.
- Sets goals that ensure all actions contribute to the company's progress and success.
- Strives to set team or group goals, as well as individual goals
- Sets short and long term goals for self without being pushed.
- Sets clear priorities, creates a distraction-free environment, and employs effective time management strategies to achieve goals.
- Sets clear objectives and maintains focus on the end results.
- Sets goals relevant to the situation to help teams focus their efforts efficiently.
- Takes an active role in setting of goals.
Prioritizes and Aligns GoalsPrioritizes and Aligns Goals emphasizes ranking objectives strategically, ensuring they contribute effectively to long-term success. This dimension centers on evaluating available resources, communicating priorities to staff, managing workflows to meet targets, and adjusting plans as needed based on risks or emerging needs. It ensures that individual goals are optimized and integrated into broader strategic initiatives.
- Performs a risk assessment to identify potential obstacles which may change the priority of certain goals.
- Manages priorities and delegates work to efficiently complete goals.
- Clearly conveys to staff the significance of each goal, emphasizing their priorities.
- Makes sure that daily activities contribute meaningfully to the company's long-term goals.
- Evaluates the availability of resources, including time, money, equipment, and personnel, to establish the priority of goals.
- Prioritizes tasks and delegates when necessary to efficiently allocate time, resources and efforts to the completion of goals.
- Ensures that each smaller objective (goal) serves as a stepping stone towards achieving broader, strategic targets.
- Communicates to staff the importance of each goal letting them know of the priorities.
Aspirational GoalsAspirational Goals focuses on setting ambitious yet attainable targets that drive improvement and growth. This dimension highlights forward-thinking goals that go beyond past achievements, inspiring teams or individuals to challenge themselves. It prioritizes motivation, continuous progress, and measurable performance improvements while maintaining realism.
- Clearly articulates ambitious goals that are within reach.
- Clearly defines challenging but attainable goals.
- Sets goals that are both realistic and challenging to achieve.
- Sets goals to improve performance metrics and measures progress by taking regular measurements over time.
- Avoids setting goals solely based on past achievements and instead sets goals inspired by future possibilities.
- Sets goals to improve performance metrics and regularly tracks progress.
Understands GoalsUnderstands Goals focuses on grasping the purpose, alignment, and overall objectives behind assigned goals. This dimension highlights clarity in why goals exist, how they connect to broader organizational strategies, and how individual or team efforts contribute to success. It ensures a well-informed perspective on the intent and significance of objectives
- Clearly understands the rationale behind the goals assigned.
- Makes sure that I understand our group's goals.
- Understands the unique strengths and needs of each individual to create an environment that optimizes the achievement of shared goals.
- Makes sure that team members have a clear idea of our group's goals.
- Understands the reasons for assigned goals.
- Is aware of the objectives and intentions that assigned goals aim to achieve.
- Understands and contributes to development of strategic goals.
- Makes sure that I have a clear idea of our group's goals.
- Understands how personal goals are aligned with the broader vision and mission of the organization.
Strategic GoalsStrategic Goals emphasizes aligning goals with long-term business strategies and ensuring adaptability in a competitive environment. This dimension focuses on resource allocation, market expansion, innovation, and workforce development. It ensures that every goal contributes to broader organizational success while incorporating structured planning methods like SWOT analysis.
- Strategically plans activities, resources, and personnel to ensure that progress is made on all current goals.
- Strategically aligns goals to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by understanding customer needs and expectations.
- Sets strategic goals that prioritize innovation and research and development.
- Develops multiple scenarios and strategies to prepare for various future possibilities and ensures that goals are adaptable to changing circumstances.
- Systematically follows a structured plan so that progress is consistently monitored and adjustments are made as necessary.
- Strategically allocates and optimizes resources to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in achieving goals.
- Performs a SWOT analysis (analyzing other companies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to help determine strategic goal-setting.
- Aligns immediate tasks with long-term aspirations to maintain a focused and cohesive overall effort.
- Establishes strategic goals that focus on attracting, developing, and retaining top talent to build a strong, capable workforce.
- Seeks projects in areas outside immediate responsibilities.
- Strategically positions the company effectively in the market by setting goals that leverage unique value propositions and target market segments.
- Sets strategic goals for expanding into new geographical markets.
- Able to say "no" when necessary to effectively execute business strategy and meet long-term objectives.
Optimizes GoalsOptimizes Goals focuses on refining and tailoring goals to fit unique circumstances and long-term objectives. This dimension ensures that goals are meaningful, realistic, and aligned with broader strategic aspirations. It emphasizes adaptability, collaboration, and structuring goals in a way that enhances effectiveness.
- Connects shorter task specific goals to longer term performance goals.
- Recognizes each person's strengths and needs to foster a collaborative environment for achieving shared goals.
- Takes into account the nuances and intricacies of the situation, ensuring that goals are realistic, attainable, and aligned with the desired outcomes.
- Considers the unique circumstances, challenges, and objectives associated with each particular task or project when creating/assigning a goal.
- Takes into account the unique circumstances, challenges, and objectives associated with each specific task or project when creating or assigning a goal.
- Envisions the optimal future state and maps out the steps required to achieve it.
CommittedCommitted focuses on dedication and perseverance in achieving assigned goals. This dimension highlights maintaining motivation, fostering a disciplined work ethic, actively contributing to success, and fully backing the objectives set for individuals or teams. It centers on the emotional and behavioral commitment to fulfilling goals, ensuring steady progress and ongoing momentum
- Encourages a disciplined work ethic for steady progress and timely goal achievement.
- Serves as a committed partner to significantly enhance the probability of achieving objectives.
- Focuses on actions that actively contribute to achieving the goal.
- Is committed to supporting and achieving assigned goals.
- Fosters a disciplined work ethic, allowing for steady progress and the achievement of goals within the designated time frame.
- Fully backs the objectives assigned to subordinates.
- Keeps the momentum going working toward goals.
- Demonstrates a steadfast commitment to supporting the achievement of assigned goals.
Understands MetricsUnderstands Metrics emphasizes knowing how progress and success are measured against those goals. This dimension centers on evaluation criteria, including KPIs, benchmarks, and assessment methods. It ensures individuals understand how achievements are quantified, tracked, and analyzed to determine effectiveness
- Knows how achievements are assessed in relation to the position's goals.
- Possesses a clear understanding of the evaluation criteria used to measure performance against the established goals for the position.
- Is aware of the criteria used to evaluate performance relative to goals.
- Knows the specific metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and benchmarks that are used to assess progress and success.
- Understands how performance is measured against goals for the position.
Creating MeasuresCreating Measures focuses on defining the criteria and tools used to assess performance. This dimension is about establishing baseline measurements, selecting appropriate KPIs, and determining what indicators will show progress toward goals. It involves setting up the framework for evaluation, ensuring that success can be measured effectively.
- Determines the critical metrics that will indicate progress toward goals.
- Creates or uses existing tools to collect and analyze data from sources such as surveys, financial reports, or log files.
- Establishes baseline measurements of KPIs to compare against progress toward goals.
- Aware of how performance is monitored and evaluated to more effectively align efforts with desired outcomes.
- Defines specific performance targets to measure goal attainment.
- Establishes criteria for measuring goal attainment.
Performance MetricsPerformance Metrics emphasizes actively tracking and assessing progress using specific indicators. This dimension centers on monitoring achievements through structured plans, comparing past and present performance, and consistently adjusting efforts to stay on track. It focuses on execution and real-time evaluation rather than defining the criteria.
- Consistently tracks progress to ensure the goal remains on course.
- Uses metrics such as the number of tasks completed, project milestones achieved, or output produced per hour to measure progress.
- Monitors progress regularly to assess that the goal is still on track.
- Measures and evaluates performance as related to business/customer needs.
- Tracks quarterly and annual performance figures by comparing them to the previous year.
- Regularly tracks progress on meeting performance goals.
- Follows a structured plan to consistently monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.
- Measures progress using metrics like tasks completed, milestones achieved, or hourly output.
Sets TimelinesSets Timelines emphasizes creating specific schedules and deadlines to ensure steady progress toward goal completion. This dimension focuses on breaking larger goals into manageable milestones, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring tasks are completed on time. It prioritizes structured scheduling and dependency management.
- Breaks down larger goals into smaller, manageable milestones with their own timelines.
- Monitors the completion of tasks and milestones against the timeline.
- Sets realistic dates for the completion of goals.
- Recognizes that some tasks depend on the completion of other tasks and schedules them accordingly.
- Establishes specific dates by which tasks or milestones must be completed.
- Establishes realistic deadlines for goal completion.
- Allocates time and resources for when each task should be started and finished.
Adheres to TimelineAdheres to Timeline emphasizes strict compliance with deadlines and structured schedules to ensure goals are achieved efficiently. This dimension focuses on following predetermined timelines, keeping track of task completion, maintaining a clear overview of progress, and ensuring milestones are met within designated timeframes. It prioritizes time management, scheduling, and deadline adherence rather than general commitment.
- Follows schedules to achieve goals.
- Sticks to deadlines for reaching objectives.
- Successfully meets deadlines for achieving goals.
- Complies with timelines for goal attainment.
- Maintains a clear overview of each goal's requirements and deadlines.
- Adheres to established schedules and timelines to effectively achieve goals.
- Ensures that all tasks and milestones are completed within the designated time frame.
- Adheres to deadlines for the accomplishment of goals.
Avoids Distractions
- Maintains focus and avoids disruptions to achieve goals.
- Avoids actions that do not contribute to the achievement of the goal.
- Able to stay focused on important goals by saying "no" to less important goals and requests.
- Stays on task and steers clear of distractions to reach objectives.
- Maintains unwavering focus on tasks and deliberately minimizes interruptions to ensure the successful accomplishment of goals.
- Able to stay focused and avoid distractions that would disrupt the attainment of a goal.
- Avoids unproductive actions that fail to advance the achievement of the goal.
- Consistently stays on course and avoids distractions.
- Says "no" to goals that will detract from the organization's objectives.
- Remains focused and avoids interruptions to accomplish goals.
Multiple Goals
- Achieves the completion of multiple goals through a combination of strategic planning, adaptability, and effective time management.
- Effectively manages the pursuit of multiple goals at the same time by skillfully balancing priorities, resources, and time.
- Has developed strong organizational and time management skills allowing for the completion of a variety of goals.
- Is able to pursue multiple goals simultaneously.
- Establishes a clear link between shorter, task-specific goals and overarching, long-term performance goals.
Supports Others
- Assists team members in reaching their objectives.
- Is a dedicated supporter to significantly enhance the likelihood of goal attainment.
- Encourages coworkers to attain departmental goals.
- Aids colleagues in achieving their performance metrics.
- Actively supports the goals set for team members.
- Encourages coworkers to attain team goals.
- Supports peers/others in accomplishing common goals.
- Encourages and assists employees in achieving their goals.
- Actively motivates and inspires coworkers to work towards and achieve team goals.
- Helps facilitate the success of others' goals.
- Actively supports and encourages the achievement of others' goals by providing guidance, resources, and constructive feedback.
Completion of Goals
- Aids and facilitates attainment of departmental goals.
- Achieves established goals.
- Demonstrates a track record of successfully accomplishing a wide range of goals, spanning various areas and disciplines.
- Successful in completing a diverse set of goals.
- Achieves stretch goals.
- Achieves goals.
Flexibility
- Refines and further defines goals as additional information and details become available.
- Adjusts goals according to the progress of employees.
- Tailores goals to the particular needs and conditions of the situation.
- May revise or modify clearly defined goals if they are deemed incorrect or unsuitable once the situation is fully understood.
Provides Resources
- Provides constructive feedback and offers assistance when needed to help the team achieve its goals.
- Provides the necessary resources and guidance for employees to achieve their goals.
- Provides support to help subordinates reach their objectives.
- Actively provides the necessary resources, guidance, and encouragement to help ensure success of the goals.
- Fosters a collaborative and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best efforts.
Provides Feedback
- Offers encouragement, removes obstacles, and gives feedback to help subordinates succeed.
- Conducts timely follow-up; keeps others informed on a need to know basis.
- Provides feedback to employees letting them know of their status in the completion of their goals.
- Informs employees of their progress toward goal completion.
- Offers useful critiques and assistance to colleagues to achieve their objectives.
- Offers encouragement, removes obstacles, and provides constructive feedback to ensure that subordinates have the confidence and tools they need to succeed in their goals.
- Gives helpful feedback and lends support to coworkers in reaching their goals.
- Delivers productive feedback and extends help to peers to accomplish their goals.
Knowledgeable
- Shares valuable information and insights to support coworkers in attaining their goals.
- Keeps employees informed about the status of a project goal.
- Keeps abreast of current developments pertaining to the job