Inside the App: Goal Setting

The holidays are upon us and as teams complete last-minute tasks and wind down planning for the new year, motivation can be low. However, a return from break in the new year typically results in a burst of excitement and new energy, and managers should direct that motivation in an impactful way.

Setting goals can be a great way to spur productivity and engagement. According to an article by Gallup, “Employees who strongly agree that their managers helped them set performance goals are 69% more engaged compared to employees who did not have managers help them."

Additionally, goals encourage career advancement opportunities through the stronger decision-making and more efficient work that comes from setting clear goals.

Managers are encouraged to work with employees to create plans to achieve goals that include checkpoints and adjustments as needed. Businesses today are fast-paced, adapting and responding quickly to client and customer demands and needs, therefore, agile goal-setting techniques are critical to fostering employee growth and engagement.

The Truvelop app can help teams manage and adjust goals as needed based on performance and organizational changes.

1. It is important to have a baseline to measure development. Monthly evaluations provide a baseline and a way to track improvement and progress towards goals. Evaluations can also offer insight on areas of challenges to help managers support the employee’s opportunity for performance improvement.
2. Using the Spark function, managers can track and support their employees' goals. This is a great way to host a two-way conversation about the employee's journey towards their goals and to memorialize any feedback shared. It is also a great way to acknowledge wins big and small to boost morale. Frequent comments or words of encouragement can help keep employees focused and goal-oriented.
3. Employee goals should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based. Are the goals clearly defined? Can they be tracked? Are goals obtainable? Are they relevant to the role and the work to be accomplished? Have deadlines been outlined to ensure a path for progress? The last thing you want is to frustrate or overwhelm an employee. They should feel challenged but not so much so that they feel inadequate or unsuccessful. Quick and frequent wins can help boost morale and encourage employees to remain persistent.

Start the new year off with a Spark of encouragement, and a clear plan of action.

Contact us today to learn more about our modern approach to performance management and development that actually improves the manager and employee relationship. Don’t just take our word for it, see what our Customers have to say.