Goal set-up: FAQ

How do I determine what my goal category is? Be sure to review “How do I build a development plan” on the LUMEN Resource Center. There are 9 categories to which you can assign your goal title: Business / Technical Acumen, Communicate / Engage, Build Relationships / Collaborate, Mobilizing / Influencing, Critical Thinking, Planning / Executing, Develop Talent, Managing Performance, Personal Learning / Leadership. Below is an example of a how a goal title could apply to different goal categories depending on the focus of the goal.

A goal title of “Active Listening” could apply to a variety of goal categories depending on the purpose.

• Develop Talent: If listening more effectively in 1:1 meetings with direct reports helps a leader be more present and offer better coaching and gives the direct report the feeling of being heard then the goal can be assigned to the Develop Talent category.
• Build Relationships / Collaborate: If a leader has been told by his/her cross department colleagues that he/she does not listen to others’ points of view and interrupts people, then the leader might focus on effective active listening with the intent to build relationships. In that case the goal should be assigned to the Build Relationships / Collaborate category.

What is a development plan? I have never drafted a development plan before, how do I do it? Be sure to review “How do I build a development plan” on the LUMEN Resource Center for information on building a plan. You can also examine the “Sample development goals” article to see examples.

What is a key action? A key action is an activity, task or exercise that will help a person achieve his/her desired goal. As a person masters a key action then he/she may increase the complexity, duration, frequency, etc. of the key action. Consider for example that you want to climb a 14,000 ft (4,267 meters) mountain for the first time – an activity you know will take you 12 hours. Two key actions you may begin with are: (1) Walk 3 days a week for 45 minutes and (2) stretch after each walk. Upon mastering both actions you then modify (enhance) the key actions: (1) walk 2 days a week for 60 minutes, (2) walk 1 day a week for 30 minutes with a backpack and (3) stretch after each walk. The pattern of increasing time, perhaps weight in the backpack, and adding hills to those walks are all geared towards achieving the goal.

For additional insight, be sure to review “How do I build a development plan” on the LUMEN Resource Center. You can also examine the “Sample development goals” article to see examples. Keep in mind that your raters cannot see what your key actions are for a given goal.

What is a benefit statement and how do I write mine? Briefly, a benefit statement should be the “so what” of your goal. What is the purpose of the goal? The intent is to briefly state the benefits of improving a behavior or set of behaviors. It is your reason for working on the goal. Keep in mind that your raters can see your benefit statement when providing a rating. Please examine “How do I build a development plan” for a definition of a benefit statement. You can also examine the “Sample development goals” article to see examples of benefit statements.

If you need additional support to draft your benefit statement, please work with your direct manager, coach/mentor or HR business partner for guidance based upon your company’s approach to goal setting.