Goal setting is important for both organizational and individual growth. Professionals working at all levels of a company can and should set personal goals in addition to the broader strategic goals of their organization. A personal goal can be long-term or more immediate, and in the short term, setting an intention before engaging in formal communications at work is a great way to make sure all goes smoothly.
Setting a goal before a meeting, presentation, key conversation or any other important workplace interaction will help ensure the best outcome. Here, 15 members of Forbes Coaches Council discuss how to set a personal goal to reach desired results when collaborating or trying to gain the buy-in of others at work.
Forbes Coaches Council members share ways to set a personal goal to ensure the best outcome from any workplace interaction.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Define What Success Looks Like
Most people set goals; however, we rarely define success for ourselves. The way to ensure the best outcome from a meeting, presentation, conversation or other important interaction at work is to define what success looks like for each of the interactions. If we have defined key performance indicators for each interaction, we will be more apt to reach them and feel accomplished upon doing so. - Jateya Jones, Jateya Jones Consulting
2. State A Goal And Ask For Suggestions
State your goal at the start of the meeting and ask for suggestions. Don’t respond to them during the meeting, but thank people and tell them you’ll get back to them about the suggestions after giving them proper thought. Ask what the other people’s goals are and, together, give everyone suggestions to move forward. Leading by example and creating specific feed-forward helps everyone in the room. - Arvid Buit, TRUE Leadership
3. Commit To Being Present, Reflecting And Achieving Your Goal
A personal goal helps you plot a mission for every relevant interaction. To ensure the best outcome during an important interaction, you can include the following while setting your personal goal: commit to being present during an important interaction; commit to reflecting back a major point raised by the other participant(s); and commit to achieving your goal before the end of the interaction. - Nkechi Ilori, The School of Achievers
4. Focus On Your Core Message
When planning an important interaction, reflect on this question: “What are the key takeaway points/messages you want to leave the audience with?” These core messages should be communicated simply and very briefly. Remember, if what you plan to communicate doesn’t contribute to your core message, then don’t say it. - Jay Rai, www.jayrai.com
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5. Set An Intention For What You Want To Experience
I created a proprietary tool for tuning into the objective of your meeting as well as the deeper intention. When you gain clarity on those elements, you consider the evidence that your approach works and reinforce the benefits of it. When you organize your thoughts and reinforce who you want to “be” at that moment, you make it more likely that you will achieve a goal. - Rosie Guagliardo, InnerBrilliance Coaching
6. Begin With The End In Mind
One of the universal habits of high performers is to begin with the end in mind. When we do, we activate a process of strategic alignment and empowerment toward reaching that goal. Far too many meetings and presentations are goal-less and therefore aimless. With a goal in mind for a meeting or presentation, our preparation is focused, our delivery is concise, and our use of meeting time is effective. - Abe Brown, Certified Flourishing Coaching
7. Remember The Law Of Attraction
Ask yourself three questions: “What impact do I want to make?” “What key message(s) do I need to communicate?” and “What do I need to learn here?” Build your goals on the answers to these key questions to form your intention. Remember the law of attraction: Intention, attention, no tension. In other words, set your goal, focus and then trust the process. - Linda McLoughlin, LeadershipWorks
8. Navigate According To Pre-Feedback Responses
Navigate and frame your goal around what the participants need to get through your presentation. To do this, I recommend you interview people before your meeting and find out what they want to get out of it and what would for sure make it valuable. Then, set your goal around those clear ideas and pre-feedback responses. This will help guide your presentation and evaluate it through the audience’s eyes. - John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.
9. Have A Plan And An Agenda
You just have to have a plan and an agenda. Engaging other professionals in the meeting is very important, as well as asking in advance what key points would they like to see covered. Every meeting or presentation needs to have a call to action that is connected to a personal goal. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to plan any interactions at work. - Michelle Perchuk, MTV Coaching
10. Write Down The Top Three Outcomes
Write down the top three outcomes you want from the meeting you’re heading into. Writing them down not only makes them easier to remember so that you don’t get sidetracked, but it also gives you points of reference to remind you in case you do. Then, review them after the meeting to make sure you hit your targets. - Corrie Block, Paragon Consulting FZE
11. Engage Both Head And Heart
One great strategy is to engage both head and heart and do a check-in at the start of every meeting. Asking yourself a personal question, such as, “What’s playing on my mind that might stop me from being fully present today?” is great for getting into feelings. And then ask, “What’s one thing I want from the meeting?” The latter question can cover the mechanics of the meeting, behaviors and/or specific output. - Sandra Pinnington, The WLA (Women Leaders Association)
12. Understand The ‘What,’ ‘Why’ And ‘How’
Understand the “what,” “why” and “how.” For example, what are you seeking to accomplish? Why is it important now? How will it be measured? Using this framework, one can begin to establish an outline and a roadmap to achieving their goal while staying task-focused. - Joshua Miller, Joshua Miller Executive Coaching
13. Stay Flexible Toward Change
There needs to be a balance between how you wish to be seen as an individual and how you can contribute your talent/skills to a situation. No one can see the future or control an outcome, and my advice to anyone is to keep an open mind, stay flexible toward change and don’t dwell on a situation that you have no control over. Offer value, listen before contributing and speak up. - Able Wanamakok, Find Your Voice Asia
14. Be Thoroughly Prepared And Confident
The best outcome usually happens as a result of thorough planning that has taken into account the situation in its entirety, including the people involved, the nature of the content and what is at stake. It involves some level of scenario planning of “what ifs” and having the necessary “drawer plans” to deal with possible scenarios that might emerge. Being prepared and confident is key. - Thomas Lim, Singapore Public Service, SportSG
15. Be Clear And Communicate Consistently
Clarity, communication and consistency are key. Clearly state the intended outcome and expectations, defining what success looks like. Follow a consistent structure so that people feel safe and valued. Create opportunities for feedback and reflection. Ensure the interaction is memorable and connected to a common purpose, aligning your personal goal to the bigger vision of the organization. - Susan Murray, Clearpath Leadership
