Episode 179: (Team Retention) The WHY Factor: How Intentional Goals Drive Success

In this episode…

According to Psychology Today, only 20% of people set goals, much less intentional goals. What’s more, 70% of those people fail to achieve them. This often happens when they lack accountability and intention in setting goals. What strategies can you implement to set and achieve goals successfully?

Well-defined intentional goals can improve employee engagement and enhance collaboration between HR and executives. HR strategist Traci Austin employs the SMART framework — specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-based — to help middle managers set intentional goals that propel their organization forward. Additionally, identifying the “why” behind your goals integrates them with meaning and boosts team motivation to work toward them. Traci also mentions that aligning employees’ personal and professional goals helps retain them as they identify a purpose within the organization.

Tune in to episode 180 of The People Strategy Podcast as co-host Chad Franzen of Rise25 joins Traci Austin to talk about crafting goals with intention. Traci explains the various types of goals, the common mistakes in intentional goal-setting, and her approach to aligning organizational goals.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[2:11] Traci Austin talks about intentional goal setting

[3:18] The various types of goals and the importance of setting them

[7:29] How intentional goals impact team engagement

[8:38] Working with mid-level managers to develop a goal framework

[13:52] What is the role of personal goal alignment in professional success?

[16:31] Common pitfalls in intentional goal setting

[24:15] Traci’s approach to intentional goal setting and alignment

Quotable Moments:

“If work is the barrier to us living our life versus work being a part of life, those are two completely different outcomes.”
“We are the experts on ourselves. No one else is the expert on us.”
“Dare to dream for ourselves what is possible, but also challenge our folks to dare to dream.”
“Every individual has a right and choice to be fulfilled in their work.”
“We’re all humans. Sometimes we complicate things with different industries, big and small, but at the end of the day, we all have things that are important to us.”

Every individual has a right and choice to be fulfilled in their work. - The People Strategy Podcast Share on X

Action Steps:

Define clear, specific goals using the SMART framework to ensure alignment with your values and purpose: This provides a structured approach to goal-setting that encompasses both quantifiable targets and the qualitative reasons behind them.
Regularly review and communicate goals within your team to maintain focus and foster accountability: This keeps everyone on track and engaged, emphasizing the collective effort toward shared objectives.
Align personal aspirations with organizational goals to create a win-win scenario for growth and fulfillment: This helps bridge the gap between employee engagement and business outcomes, paving the way for mutual success.
Celebrate or appreciate goal achievements in a manner that resonates with the individual: Personalized recognition amplifies the positive impact of success on motivation and morale.
Execute a cascade of goals strategy, ensuring individual goals contribute to the team, division, and organizational objectives: This creates coherence across different levels of the company, ensuring that everyone’s efforts contribute meaningfully to the bigger picture.

Traci Austin is the Owner and Chief Talent Officer at Elevated Talent Consulting, a certified woman-owned HR firm. As an HR professional and chief strategy consultant, she has over two decades of experience creating and building HR departments for small businesses. Traci specializes in employee development, consulting, and coaching and creates fulfilling work environments that align employee aspirations with business goals. She also hosts The People Strategy Podcast.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Elevated Talent Consulting, a leading provider of comprehensive talent management solutions.

Whether you’re looking to optimize your recruitment process, enhance employee engagement, or develop effective leadership strategies, Elevated Talent Consulting has the expertise to level up your team.

Discover how they can transform your workforce at elevatedtalentconsulting.com.