How to conduct a goal-setting session
Managers determine what they want to accomplish and how they plan to achieve it by setting goals - for individual projects, short- and long-term strategies, production, sales... Owing to the importance of goal-setting, you will often be called on to conduct regular goal-setting sessions in which selected employees will take part. This process can be readily facilitated by adopting the steps suggested here...
1. Establish rapport.
As with any individual or group process, gaining others’ trust and confidence is essential. You may decide to use an icebreaking activity, engage participants in conversations about areas of individual interest, or use a more structured strategy. Whatever the approach, you should not proceed until you feel that rapport has been established.
2. Develop an initial set of group goals.
It is important that all participants contribute, so have individuals work alone to list two goals that are important to them. Work around the group recording first-choice goals on a whiteboard, then record others not previously listed.
3. List those affected by the goals.
Identify those people who will be affected by the goals. These stakeholders are likely to be either shareholders, customers, or colleagues - including members of the group. This action may require that some new goals be written taking into account this additional information.
