Coaching with SMART goals: Transforming Wishes into Reality By Martha Lasley
Wishes are very different from goals. We can help clients realize their dreams by giving them a chance to become aware of what's important about their dreams, before setting goals. Envisioning the desired outcomes and connecting with the values and needs drives the process. When clients know why their goals matter, their choices and the path become much more compelling. Instead of setting goals that please parents, the boss, or others, we can coach people to identify their own needs. A common way to set goals is to use the SMART acronym, which becomes much more powerful when we engage the heart in the process.
Specific: The more specific the goal, the easier it is to implement and enlist support from others. Start by asking, "What would make your heart sing? What desired outcomes do you envision?" and refine the goal until it is concise, simple and clear.
Measurable: Measurable goals establish concrete criteria for determining progress and completion. Not only do you have the data to support staying on track, but you can celebrate the achievement of milestones, building momentum along the way. If a client states, "I want to become a better leader," ask, "How will you know you have achieved your goal?"
Attainable: Set the bar high, but ensure the goals are doable. Unrealistic goals can de-motivate rather than inspire us. Ask, "What's a stretch, but still attainable?"
Relevant: Without a sense of what makes the goal important, people rarely commit to or realize their goals. Ask, "What values does the goal honor? What will the goal get you? What meaning does the goal have? How does this goal make a difference for you or others? What impact will it have?"
Time-Bound: A useful and motivating goal is grounded within a timeframe and answers the question, "By when?" Without a timeframe or completion date, there is no sense of urgency and no real commitment to the goal. A timeframe sets a clear intention of the desired completion date. A goal to reduce hunger is meaningless without specifics and dates. "Let's expand the soup kitchen," sounds very different from, "Let's feed 20% more people starting in March."
Of the five, the most important is that the goal is relevant, that the goal matters to the people implementing them. Anybody can achieve a goal, but if they've chosen goals that aren't compelling, what's the point? If you want to support people in achieving worthwhile goals, spend more time exploring the relevancy. By engaging the heart, implementation and actualization come much more easily and wishes become reality.
Questions and Answers
One of the things I love about Nonviolent Communication, developed by Marshall Rosenberg, is that the focus on empathic presence supports people to connect deeply. And one of the things I love about coaching is that the process of asking questions empowers people. Put the two together and the process becomes transformational.
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"Dad bought me a toy drum one Christmas, and I eventually destroyed it. I wanted a real drum and he bought me a snare drum. Dad continued to buy me one drum after the other – Keith Thibodeaux"
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