Setting and re-affirming goals starting the new year
Contact: Dr. Rusty Stitt
January 23, 2023
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Happy New Year! This is typically the time that you set or reaffirm goals in starting the new year. This is one of the most important roles for school leaders as it helps clarify priorities for the school/district and focuses staff on improving student success.
Goal setting should be an exciting experience, as these goals help shape the future for both the individuals within the organization and the organization as a whole. Goals give the power for directing daily priorities and setting a sense of purpose and direction. As we move into the new year, here are a few actionable ways to improve the employee goal setting process.
Celebrate
First of all, celebrate, celebrate, celebrate. Too often organizations just move on and don’t spend time celebrating the individual/group goals or accomplishments. Celebrations are extremely important to an organization's culture and climate. Celebrating success in small achievements is one way to do this. When you take even a little step closer to your goal, embrace that success through some sort of enjoyable recognition or acknowledgement. Celebrations don’t have to be something that costs money.
Set SMART Goals
The best way to set attainable goals is by working with your staff to create common goals that are as clear and specific as possible. Strive to set SMART goals - that is, goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. This way, goals are articulated clearly enough that employees can work towards them.
Create Motivation with the Why
If staff don’t know the why behind a goal they most likely won’t end up doing it. Identifying why it is important for the organization to do something is an essential part of goal setting. Connecting a goal to the deeper reason behind it can help employees stay focused in the face of challenges or distractions.
When it comes to work goals, connecting employees to the bigger picture can boost employee engagement and satisfaction. If an employee understands how achieving a performance goal impacts the bottom-line or the progress of their career, they will be more invested in achieving it.
Track Progress
It takes more than just writing things down and asking the team why they want it; tracking goal progress is just as vital to accomplishing goals as establishing them. Tracking progress means breaking down long-term goals into shorter-term objectives, which will be easier to keep track of and achieve. Work with the staff to map out and track the goals as defined by the timelines established in the goal-setting process. Knowing what needs to get done also helps staff prioritize their work.
Collaboratively tracking the goals engages the staff and also communicates the progress being made in meeting the goals. As the leader, your responsibility is to hold everyone accountable and to keep the main thing the main thing. Stay focused on the goals at hand. Work with those individuals or groups that need additional support or guidance in meeting the goals.
Good luck on your strategic planning/goal-setting process in 2023! If we can support you and your district with this process, please let contact us.
