How to Set Meaningful Performance Goals with Employees

Setting clear and meaningful performance goals is one of the most important things you can do as a leader to drive employee success and align their work with your company’s objectives. When goals are well-structured, they provide employees with direction, motivation, and a clear understanding of how their efforts contribute to the larger picture. But setting the right kind of goals isn’t always easy—especially when different roles within your organization may require different approaches.

This guide will walk you through two popular frameworks for goal setting: SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and PACT (Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, Trackable). We’ll explore when and how to use each one based on the role, industry, and business needs. Whether your team members need clear, short-term goals or long-term, continuous objectives, these frameworks will help ensure their goals are aligned with overall business success.