Defining Better Goals

Connect learning to your work

A practical place
to begin.

Define success clearly enough to discuss

A useful goal gives people a shared picture of the result while leaving room to choose an appropriate method. This Skill Lab examines how to improve a broad intention by clarifying its scope, time horizon and evidence of progress. It also asks whether the goal fits the resources available and the purpose it is meant to serve.

In an illustrative exercise, start with an intention to improve team communication. Describe the particular situation that needs to change, such as incomplete handoffs between two roles. Identify what people would notice if the situation improved. Compare possible measures and consider whether any could encourage superficial activity instead of a more useful exchange.

Check the goal before committing

Ask who needs to agree, which dependencies matter and what assumption is most uncertain. Prepare a concise statement that the people involved can interpret consistently. At the first review, examine both progress and whether the goal remains the right one. Bring a professional objective or a fictional example to the learning request. The practice is designed to improve the quality of the agreement, not to suggest that adding a number to every ambition automatically makes it meaningful.

Topics to explore

Your learning focus.

Start where you are

Who it’s for.

Professionals and managers setting individual or team goals

Bring a workplace situation you want to approach differently. We can discuss your experience, priorities and the support that would be useful before agreeing on delivery.

Learning that fits your context

Explore your online options.

Ask about live online, self-paced or blended online learning. The available approach, content scope and schedule are agreed for your request.

Select a preference and optional participant count in your training request. You can also leave both open for discussion.