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New Year, New Approach to Goals 

An illustration of an arm holding a goal banner with a business team working together to reach the goal.
Out with the Old: How to Get Strategic — and Personal — with Your Team’s Goals This Year

Are you a New Year’s resolution person? Many people set ambitious resolutions — promises or hopes about how they want to improve in the coming year. These resolutions often focus on some kind of personal growth or achieving a big milestone. 

Yet, no matter how great the intentions, research shows that most resolutions fail because they lack a clear plan, consistent effort, and accountability. And failing just a few months into the year can feel even more demoralizing than not setting the resolution in the first place. (Ever set a workout goal and joined a gym in January? You may know what I’m talking about in March.)

The same principle applies to workplace goals. Setting a goal to boost sales, improve team productivity, or increase customer satisfaction may seem straightforward, but without a strategic plan, perseverance, and regular check-ins, even the most well-meaning goals can fall short. Like New Year’s resolutions, workplace goals require alignment with personal strengths, thoughtful planning, and accountability to turn aspirations into real, measurable results.

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This year, let’s resolve together to not recycle the same tired goal process and expect better results. I work with companies of all sizes and in all sectors to transform the goal process into a year-round process that actually gets results and boosts employee engagement. 


Setting the Goal

In today’s competitive work environment, simply setting goals isn’t enough to drive success. To truly thrive, organizations need to adopt a more strategic approach — one that aligns goals with an employee’s unique strengths. 

One powerful tool for achieving this alignment is the Predictive Index (PI), a data-driven platform that helps employers understand the behavioral tendencies and cognitive strengths of their employees. When workplace goals are tailored to an individual’s natural abilities, they’re more likely to succeed. However, setting these goals is only part of the equation. To ensure that goals are met and results are achieved, workplace coaches are essential. I’ll get into that later in this post. 


The Importance of Aligning Goals with Strengths

Traditional goal-setting methods, such as setting broad, generic objectives, often miss the mark because they fail to take into account the unique strengths and work styles of individual employees. Even S.M.A.R.T. goals fall short. Why? When goals are mismatched with an employee’s natural inclinations, they can feel disconnected, frustrated, and disengaged. The result? Goals aren’t met, productivity drops, and morale declines.

By aligning goals with an employee’s strengths, organizations can significantly increase the chances of success. Employees are more likely to excel when they’re asked to work in areas that come naturally to them. When goals are framed within the context of their skills, strengths, and personality traits, employees not only perform better, but they also feel more fulfilled and motivated.

The Predictive Index is the best tool on the market today that helps companies understand the behavioral patterns and cognitive drives of their employees. Using the PI’s scientifically validated assessments, organizations can gain valuable insights about each of their team members, including:

  • Behavioral drives: What motivates them? How do they prefer to work?
  • Cognitive ability: How quickly and effectively can they process information and solve problems?
  • Communication style: How do they interact with others and express themselves?

With this data, leaders can craft more personalized, effective goals that align with an individual’s strengths, enhancing performance and reducing frustration. For example, a high-dominance individual, who thrives in competitive environments and enjoys taking charge, might excel with goals that involve leading projects or driving change. On the other hand, an employee who scores high in sociability and collaboration may thrive in roles where they can engage with teams, build relationships, and facilitate communication.

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Pro tip! Understanding an employee’s pain points or frustrations is just as important as understanding their strengths.

Example: If you know your direct report struggles with decision-making, you can build support and conversation about decisions into every supervision session. This shows the employee that you care about helping them with the tough stuff, too.

By using the Predictive Index, organizations can move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to goal-setting and create customized plans that inspire their employees to perform at their best.


The Role of a Certified Workplace Coach

While setting personalized goals is crucial, it’s the ongoing support, guidance, and accountability that truly makes the difference. This is where workplace coaching comes in.

First, make sure you’re working with a certified coach. I am currently credentialed as an Associate Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, and I’m working toward my advanced certification. ICF is the gold standard of professional workplace coaching, so don’t accept anything less when you’re looking for a business partner. 

Here are a few ways coaching has helped my clients with the goal-setting and goal-getting process: 

  1. Accountability and Guidance: One of the biggest challenges in achieving goals is staying accountable. By integrating into the team as an external and objective partner, I help leaders ensure that they and their employees don’t lose sight of their objectives. We break down large goals into actionable steps that align with team strengths. Regular check-ins keep progress on track and offer the chance for reflection, learning — and recalibration when needed.
  2. Continuous Engagement: Coaches are experts in keeping employees engaged. We understand that motivation fluctuates and are skilled at reigniting passion and focus when enthusiasm wanes. Whether through mentorship, encouragement, or constructive feedback, coaches ensure that individuals feel supported in their growth journey.
  3. Team Cohesion and Morale: Depending on the organization, I may work with the leadership team, supervisions, or entire teams and companies. Every company is different, and working with a coach allows us to laser-focus on YOUR specific needs. Workplace coaches can help improve communication, resolve conflicts, and foster a sense of shared purpose. When teams are aligned and working toward a common goal, the results speak for themselves. Moreover, teams with engaged employees are more likely to produce better outcomes and experience less turnover.
  4. Boosting Retention: Employees who feel supported and valued are less likely to leave their jobs. It’s as simple as that. Workplace coaches help create a culture of growth and development, ensuring that employees see a future within the company. This not only enhances individual performance but also improves overall employee retention.

Achieving Better Results with Personalized Goals and Coaching

The traditional model of goal-setting, where managers set generic objectives for their teams, is quickly becoming outdated. As new generations enter the workforce, studies show that they crave feedback, connection, and the ability to provide input. To achieve better results in today’s rapidly changing workplace, organizations must embrace a more personalized approach. By utilizing tools like the Predictive Index and partnering with certified workplace coaches, companies can create goals that are tailored to each employee’s strengths, ensuring greater engagement, improved performance, and more sustainable success.

If you’re looking to enhance your company’s performance, boost employee engagement, and drive results, it’s time to rethink your goal-setting process. Leverage the insights from the Predictive Index to align goals with strengths and invest in a certified workplace coach to ensure that everyone stays on track. This holistic approach will not only improve your results but also create a more motivated, engaged, and loyal workforce.

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