Goal Setting Strategies

Your employees aren’t just performing tasks; they’re living stories. However, do they comprehend the broader narrative? What if I told you that 87% of employees don’t fully understand how their day-to-day work impacts the larger goals of their organization? (That’s according to a Gallup study that still rings true today.) I recently sat down with a high-performing team at a company that’s crushing it in revenue—but struggling with internal engagement. And when I asked a simple question—“How does your role help this organization win?”—I was met with blank stares. Not because they didn’t care. Because no one had ever connected the dots for them. That’s the conflict: You’ve got talented people, but they’re stuck in silos, checking boxes instead of owning outcomes. They’re processing tasks, not purpose. Here’s why it matters: When people can clearly see how their work fits into the bigger picture, productivity increases by up to 25%. Retention improves. Morale skyrockets. You stop leading projects—and start leading people. So here’s what I do (and what you can do today): I use a 3-step framework I call the “Storyline Shift”: 1. Map the Mission – Translate the company vision into practical, personal terms. 2. Define the Thread – Help each team member draw a direct line from their work to measurable goals. 3. Tell the Story Back – Have them articulate it in their own words. That’s when ownership is born. Instead of “I manage spreadsheets,” someone says, “I deliver real-time data to drive confident decisions.” Big difference, right? One sounds like a task. The other sounds like a mission. If you’re a leader, manager, or executive looking to increase alignment and accountability in the next 30 days, this is where to start. No software needed. Just better conversations and intentional leadership. Want a simple worksheet to run this with your team in 15 minutes? Drop “ALIGN” in the comments or DM me. Let’s help your people stop doing a job—and start owning their impact. ♻️ I hope you found this valuable, please share with your network. 📌 Click "Follow" and 🔔 #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalAlignment

I just wrapped up a biweekly OKR review with a client that got me thinking... 🤔 In just four meetings, we've already seen significant shifts in how their leadership team communicates and collaborates. By my back-of-the-napkin calculation, this is essentially a $200K/year meeting (not counting consulting fees) - which means it had better create real value. But too often, OKR reviews seem like "importance theater:" Presenters give carefully crafted updates Leaders nod politely (if they're even paying attention) Colleagues silently multitask Zero meaningful collaboration happens. What transforms these meetings: ✅ Share routine updates in writing BEFORE the meeting ✅ Use live time for genuine collaboration ✅ Focus on measurable progress, not what we've been doing ✅ Create space for honest conversations about risks and needs (and whether needs will be met). Four critical questions that should drive every OKR check-in: 🤔 What's our actual measurable progress? 🤔 What are our biggest risks? 🤔 Who needs what to unblock progress? 🤔 Will they get what they need? Few meetings actually answer those questions. Instead, they're about looking busy and important. But the goal isn't to look busy. The goal is creating meaningful momentum toward your most important strategic priorities. OKR check-ins should be curious, collaborative problem-solving sessions - not status report marathons. Want to learn more about making OKRs actually work? I share practical frameworks developed from my interactions with over 300+ OKR implementors in organizations globally. No BS, just pragmatic approaches that drive real change. #OKRs #StrategicExecution #LeadershipDevelopment

Big projects can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s writing a book, launching an improvement initiative, or driving major change, it can feel hard. You start with excitement, but as reality sets in, it’s easy to get stuck. I recently spoke on a panel hosted by the South Asian Customer Success Alliance, where we discussed what it really takes to complete ambitious projects. Reflecting on my own experience writing two best-selling books while running a successful consulting business, here are a few strategies that made all the difference: 1. Find an Accountability Partner Having someone to keep you on track makes a huge difference. It can be a mentor, coach, or peer. For my book, a developmental editor helped me stay focused and hit my milestones. 2. Work Backwards from a Deadline Instead of hoping to “finish when it’s ready,” set a deadline and map out your key milestones in reverse. This ensures steady progress and avoids last-minute panic. For example, I wanted my book available to launch at Gainsight’s Pulse conference. 3. Embrace Structure to Make Progress Easier Don’t start from scratch every time. I created a repeatable structure for my chapters, which reduced decision fatigue and let me focus on writing instead of formatting. Apply best practices to make things repeatable. 4. Consistency Beats Perfection Big projects don’t happen in a day. I committed to writing regularly each Friday because momentum is built through consistent effort. I also felt like it didn’t need to be perfect the first time. You can always refine it later. 5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help No major project is completed alone. I actively sought feedback from peers, editors, and experts. External perspectives improved my work and kept me motivated. Even when the feedback was hard to hear, I knew that it came from a good place. 6. Celebrate Milestones Along the Way When tackling something big, it’s easy to focus on how far you still have to go. I made it a point to recognize small wins like finishing a chapter, telling an interesting story, or getting useful feedback. Acknowledging progress kept me motivated. 7. Publicly Commit and Get Others Involved One of the most powerful motivators is making your goal public. I shared my book-writing journey with others and engaged them in the process, and their encouragement kept me accountable. The support from my community made a huge difference in getting to the finish line. Thanks to Parul Bhandari for hosting and to the other author-panelists Jeff Mar, Atma Gunupudi, Jennifer Chiang. It was a great conversation. Whether you're tackling a book, launching a new initiative, or driving transformation in your business, these principles apply. What strategies have helped you take on and accomplish big goals? Would love to hear your insights! #Leadership #GoalSetting #Execution #CustomerSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth #REACH #TheCCOPlaybook #CCO

“All of my traditional approaches to setting goals are falling flat,” my newest client admitted. “My team is going through the motions, but the goals we’re setting have no energy or meaning. I don’t know what to do.” I could hear the frustration in his voice. He wasn’t alone. I’ve had this same conversation with leaders across many industries. Traditional goal-setting methods—SMART goals, annual targets, quarterly OKRs—aren’t enough anymore. They look good on paper, but in practice? They often feel lifeless. Why? Because goals that don’t inspire don’t get achieved. A poorly set goal is like a malfunctioning GPS—it gives you the illusion of direction while leading you nowhere. If you want your team to not just chase a goal, but to own it—to commit with energy, creativity, and resilience—your goals need to meet four powerful criteria: 1️⃣ 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 – The Fire That Fuels Action A goal without meaning is just a task. It won’t ignite passion, and it won’t sustain commitment when the road gets tough. Ask the team: ↪︎︎ Does this goal represent a true breakthrough? Does it challenge us to grow? ↪︎︎ Is the outcome worthy of being our #1 focus? If it’s not, it won’t command our best energy. The most powerful goals feel personal. They connect to a deeper sense of purpose. They make you feel alive. 2️⃣ 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 – The Score That Drives Performance A goal that can’t be measured is like playing tennis without a net. You can exert tremendous effort, but you’ll never know if you’re winning. Ask the team: ↪︎︎ Can we objectively track progress toward this goal? If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. ↪︎︎ Do we know whether we’re winning or losing—both in terms of the result and the timeline? The most powerful goals have clear scoreboards—not just at the finish line, but throughout the journey. 3️⃣ 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 – The Levers That Drive Success Setting a goal without defining the specific actions that will drive it is like planting a seed and hoping for rain. Ask the team: ↪︎︎ Do we know exactly what actions, if repeated consistently, will create success? ↪︎︎ Are those actions within our control? The best goals don’t rely on luck or external conditions. They are moved forward by deliberate, focused effort. 4️⃣ 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 – The Impact That Makes It Worthwhile If you achieve this goal, will it be worth it? Will it have mattered beyond the numbers? Ask the team: ↪︎︎ Does this goal align with our deeper purpose? If not, why pursue it? ↪︎︎ Will achieving it create an impact we’ll be proud of—something that lasts? The best goals aren’t just achieved. They become stories—milestones of growth, impact, and transformation. When goals meet these four criteria—Meaningful, Measurable, Movable, and Memorable—they don’t just exist on a PowerPoint slide. They ignite teams. They create momentum. They change the game. #Heroic #Coaching #ThriveHive #4DX

Words of Wisdom Wednesday 🧠 - The Wizard of Westwood "Long-Term Success Requires Short-Term Focus." - John Wooden 🏀 This quote resonates deeply with me as a leader. It's a reminder that while we must keep our eyes on the big picture and long-term goals, achieving them requires us to break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Here's how this applies to leadership: ~Set clear, short-term goals: Don't just define the mountaintop; chart the basecamps along the way. Break down large initiatives into smaller, more manageable milestones with clear deadlines. This makes the journey less daunting and provides a sense of accomplishment as each goal is reached. 🎯 ~Prioritize and delegate effectively: As a leader, your time and energy are precious resources. Identify the most critical tasks that require your direct attention and delegate the rest to capable team members. This not only frees you up to focus on strategic priorities but also empowers your team and fosters their growth. 🤝 ~Maintain consistent progress: Acknowledge and celebrate each milestone achieved, no matter how small. This reinforces positive momentum and keeps your team motivated and engaged. Recognize individual and collective efforts to foster a culture of appreciation and continuous improvement. 🎉 ~Stay adaptable and adjust as needed: The business landscape is constantly evolving. Be prepared to re-evaluate priorities, adjust strategies, and even pivot completely if necessary. Encourage feedback, embrace new information, and foster a culture of agility within your team to navigate unforeseen challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. 🔄 By concentrating on the present and taking consistent action, we can build a strong foundation for long-term success. This means being fully engaged in the "now," making the most of each day, and consistently taking steps - however small - towards our goals. This approach not only drives progress but also creates a sense of purpose and fulfillment along the way. Book Recommendation: "The Score Takes Care of Itself" by Bill Walsh 📖 This book, by the legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers 🏈 , isn't just about football. It's a masterclass in leadership and organizational culture. Walsh emphasizes the importance of meticulous planning, disciplined execution, and a relentless focus on the fundamentals. He advocates for building a strong organizational culture based on shared values and a commitment to excellence. "The Score Takes Care of Itself" is a powerful reminder that sustainable success comes from focusing on the process, not just the outcome. #leadership #wisdom #success #goals #focus #motivation #inspiration #wordsofwisdom

The biggest thing that helped me become a better PMM was carving out time for strategic thinking, no matter how busy I was. Why is this important? -> Tactical work alone won’t advance your career. You need to think far with a strategic vision and have the ability to execute. -> Strategic clarity reduces decision fatigue and eliminates random tasks that don’t lead to real outcomes. -> It helps you identify opportunities to innovate and create net new value for the business. -> Teams naturally follow people who think beyond the immediate. Here’s how I do it (and how you can too): 1️⃣ Block time for deep thinking It’s very hard to focus on strategic work if you are always busy in meetings or putting out fires. So the first step is to make TIME. Dedicate 30–60 minutes daily to uninterrupted, quiet thinking even if it means waking up earlier. I also block Wed and Friday mornings for extended work sessions. Find a time that works with your natural productivity. 2️⃣ Prioritize what to focus on (and not focus on) Strategy also means saying no, or not now. Use my Action/Priority Matrix to identify and focus on high-impact tasks, while deferring, delegating or eliminating the rest. Communicate your priorities to your manager for transparency. Remember part of strategy is also saying no. https://lnkd.in/eDd_PvuN 3️⃣ Create project plans Before jumping into a project, no matter how big or small (even if it’s just creating a piece of content), get into the habit of writing out a project plan, including who, how, what, when, why, KPIs, milestones, and key stakeholders. This forces you to think AHEAD, create a repeatable structure, and helps you easily drive alignment with others. 4️⃣ Review long-term goals often Regularly assess how your day-to-day work aligns with your big-picture vision/strategy. Realignment ensures you’re always working toward meaningful outcomes. I suggest doing a monthly review and then communicating what you’d like to start, stop, and continue, with your manager. This also shows you are proactive. 5️⃣ Talk it out with a thought partner or coach Clarity doesn’t always come on your own. Talking through your ideas with someone who can ask the right questions or challenge your assumptions is invaluable. My clients often come to me with a jumble of (great) thoughts, and we untangle them to pull the thread together and uncover the strategy. — Carving out time for strategic thinking isn’t just about blocking time - it’s about making that time effective by doing the right thing and creating the right system. What would you add? #productmarketing #strategy #career #growth #coaching

It's not just about setting goals for the company/department/team, it's about how you *operationalize* them. Here are my 8 steps to consider for for actioning the goals you just decided on. I love this time of the year, I really do. Everyone is buzzing with goals – and the team is (hopefully!) feeling energized. But like personal new years resolutions, you start to see the excitement and clarity fizzle out in the upcoming months. Work happens. Requests happen. Fire drills and pivots happen. It's naive to believe the team will remember the goals if we don't exhaustively repeat and document them, too. Just because we mentioned it in a call or meeting doesn't equate to 100% recall. Here are the 8 steps I saw work in-house to combat this and operationalize the goals (they need a plan!): 1. Set the goals at the company-level and ensure they cascade down (Company > department > team > individual) 2. Document these goals in a series of documents correlated to the audience waterfall (The company ones should be readily available for anyone to find -- pinning in a general channel is a great option, dept. ones in dept. channels, etc.) 3. Ensure you discuss and/or document how you backed into the goals (what's the why and the how) and link to where you're tracking the progress/performance (transparency) 4. Have dept./team leads decide on their goals that back into the company goals (bonus points if the leads bring in their ICs to the process, too) -- being part of the process gives into more buy-in 5. Use 1-1s to ensure *everyone* understands the company, dept., and team goals, and then use this time to discuss their individual goals that tie into these 6. Designate team owners of the goals (ideally not managers). These are the champions for that individual goal, and have a responsibility to: 1) Create a document for that individual goal 2) Create a work roadmap to achieve the goal 3) Track & report on the goal 4) work with stakeholders to project manage the work. I find this step SO helpful - and where the magic of operationalizing comes into play. This document can also be a table of contents that hyperlinks out to individual project briefs and other documents for the work. I know this may feel like documentation overload, but it's absolutely needed. It creates clarity. 7. Repeat the goals exhaustively. Anyone should be able to rattle off the goals at any time if you repeat it enough – power of repetition! Bonus point if you can come up with a catchy acronym. 8. Report on the goals monthly and quarterly via performance and progress Tl;dr: power of repetition (and when you think you've said it too many times, say it again), transparency, documentation, team activation, designated owners, mini work plans, and consistent reporting/tracking. What'd I miss, or what would you add?

Every task that comes to me is urgent and important. Sound familiar? This is a challenge many of us face daily. Early in my career, prioritization was relatively straightforward—my manager told me what to focus on. But as I grew, the game changed. Suddenly, I was managing a flood of requests, far more than I could handle, and the signals from others weren’t helpful. Everything was “important.” Everything was “urgent.” Often, it was both. To handle this effectively, I realized I needed to develop an internal prioritization compass. It wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. Here are 6 strategies to help you build your own: 1/ Be crystal clear on key goals Start by understanding your organization’s goals—at the company, department, and team levels. Attend organizational forums, departmental reviews, or leadership updates to stay informed. When in doubt, use your 1:1s with leaders to ask: What does success look like? 2/ Deeply understand KPIs Metrics guide decision-making, but not all metrics are equally valuable. Take the time to understand your team's or function's key performance indicators (KPIs). Know what they measure, what they mean, and how to assess their impact. 3/ Be assertive to protect priorities Not every task deserves your attention. Practice saying “no” or deferring requests that don’t align with key goals or metrics. Assertiveness is not about being inflexible—it’s about protecting your capacity to focus on what truly matters. 4/ Set and reset expectations Priorities change, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is working on misaligned tasks. Keep open communication with your manager and stakeholders about evolving priorities. When new demands arise, clarify and reset expectations. 5/ Use 1:1s to align with your manager Leverage your 1:1s as a strategic tool. Share your current priorities, validate them against your manager’s expectations, and discuss any conflicts or challenges. 6/ Clarify the escalation process When priorities conflict, don’t let disagreements linger. If you can’t agree quickly, escalate the issue to your manager. This avoids unnecessary churn, ensures trust remains intact, and keeps momentum focused on results. PS: You won’t always get it right—and that’s okay. Treat each misstep as an opportunity to refine your compass. What’s one tip you’ve used to prioritize when everything feels urgent? --- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

We tell our sales reps to be gritty, to work smarter, not harder, to smash their quota but don't always do the best job pairing those inspirational calls to action with tools and techniques that allow them to do the things we ask. For years, I’ve loved the GROW Goal Setting Model. It is a great model, but I found myself tweaking it to reflect the things I think are fascinating and that actually work for revenue teams. 🧠 Ideas like: - Neuroplasticity - Harms of moonshot thinking - Value of gratitude and meditation - The frustration reps feel when they work tirelessly and still miss quota. That’s why I developed the PATH. 👉 Steal this framework to help your team not only set goals but achieve them. The PATH framework is a four-step process that helps you and your team set actionable goals, anticipate challenges, and ensure every step aligns with your aspirations. 1. Plan: Setting a Focused Goal Everything starts with a solid foundation. The first step is setting a focused goal. SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—work well here. This ensures you’re working toward a well-defined target, making it easier to stay focused and track progress. 2. Anticipate: Backcasting Once your goal is in place, it’s time to imagine your desired future state. I love writing goals as if they've already happened and writing out the details of what it took me to get there. This process ensures that you have realistic micro-actions that you can be accountable to on the PATH to achieving your goal. 3. Test: Pre-Mortem Next, you stress-test your plan with a pre-mortem (inspo credit: Annie Duke, Thinking in Bets) This exercise allows you to identify risks before they arise, so you can adjust your plan and stay on track. It also encourages you to uncover opportunities to leapfrog your progress by brainstorming creative solutions. 4. Harmonize: Alignment to Aspirations The final step ensures that your micro-actions align with your larger aspirations. It's a final sense check to ensure you've set a goal you care enough about that you'll put in the hard work required to achieve it. That work will be supported by a clear PATH to success. The PATH framework ensures you don’t just set goals—you achieve them. 💸 Want me to guide your sales or leadership team through this process as part of your year-end planning or SKO? Drop "PATH" in the comments to learn more.

Overnight success in technology is a myth. As someone who has hired and mentored hundreds of engineers, I've seen the truth behind the curtain: mastery is a slow burn, fueled by time, consistency, and a well-crafted strategy. Today I want to focus on what you can do to improve your strategy. A strategy isn't just a buzzword; it's a deliberate blueprint of actions, tailor-made to propel you towards a well-defined goal. It's about making informed decisions on how to best use your resources, overcoming obstacles, and capitalizing on opportunities, all to ensure that every effort you put in is a step closer to where you want to be. Here are a few steps you can follow to have at least a simple strategic framework to guide you: Define Your Goal Clearly: Start with a crystal-clear definition of what you want to achieve. A well-defined goal acts as a beacon, guiding all your subsequent actions and decisions. Ensure your goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Break It Down into Actionable Steps: Once your goal is set, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. This step transforms the overarching goal into actionable steps, making the journey less daunting and more structured. Each task should move you closer to your final objective. Prioritize Your Actions: Not all tasks carry the same weight. Prioritize your actions based on their impact on your goal and the resources they require. Focus on high-impact activities that propel you forward more significantly, and consider the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to maximize efficiency. If you are not sure which activities have the highest impact, do some research! In my rock climbing example, I bought books on training to help me leverage the decades of work done by others to prioritize my time. Allocate Time Blocks: Assign specific time blocks to work on your tasks, using techniques like time blocking or the Pomodoro Technique to enhance focus and productivity. This step is about dedicating uninterrupted time to your priorities, ensuring that you make consistent progress. Review and Adjust Regularly: Strategy is not set in stone. Regularly review your progress, evaluate what's working and what's not, and be prepared to adjust your plan accordingly. This agile approach allows you to respond to challenges and opportunities as they arise, keeping you on the most effective path toward your goal. Check out even more on how to accelerate your career in my latest article: https://lnkd.in/gx6gEzUF #techleadership #ctoinsights #topvoice