Human resources departments frequently request that staff members establish “SMART” performance goals, which stand for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (Mindtools) objectives. com, SMART Goals). Outlining these five areas aids in bringing concrete action to objectives that may be too general. Anyone or any group setting goals this year should take this advice into consideration, especially if you are in charge of reporting the outcomes.
S.M.A.R.T. goals help you make measurable improvements to your
- Create more effective meetings. …
- Improve writing skills for memos and emails. …
- Public speaking. …
- Improve nonverbal communication. …
- Providing individual feedback.
Why is it important to have communication goals?
You can express your opinions more clearly and comprehend your team and customers better by communicating with them. Setting communication goals can help you develop important job skills, which will increase your chances of promotion and improve your performance at work. Having clear objectives can help you build stronger bonds with your coworkers and manager by demonstrating your commitment to improving as a team member.
What are SMART goals?
A framework called SMART, which stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound, is used to create detailed and doable objectives. The SMART system can assist you in setting high-quality objectives for any potential subject by breaking down a broad concept into a predetermined series of tasks with clear actions and due dates. Many SMART objectives can be set for various communication domains, including presentation, verbal, and written abilities.
SMART goals for communication tips
Here are some pointers for setting intelligent communication goals for each step, especially in the workplace:
Specific
Provide answers to questions about your goals, the people you hope to influence or solicit a response from, and your current situation. Planning steps to achieve your goals can be made easier if you make them more specific. Focused goals also make it simpler to track your advancement. One main action verb should be used for each task, and you should keep your steps to one action or behavior at a time.
Measurable
Determine observable criteria that will allow you to know if your goal has been achieved. Some strategies may specify specific numbers, such as “increase your vocabulary by 10 words,” or ranges, such as “expand the length of your presentations by five to ten minutes.” Use feedback to measure your progress, such as direct reports on your actions, the frequency with which a colleague requests clarification, or the level of engagement.
Attainable
The most effective tasks are frequently those that are difficult but doable. To establish reasonable guidelines for your objectives, evaluate your capabilities and the surrounding environment. Think about a clear path to completion and a realistic endpoint for your project. Describe the specific steps you will take to improve your desired skill and look for opportunities to help your plans, like workshops, books, or software.
Relevant
Ensure that your ideas directly relate to your work. When practicing communication skills, try to connect them to achievements in your career and duties you already carry out. Consider specific circumstances at work and the types of objectives that would enable you to achieve your personal and team performance goals. You could concentrate on honing your presentation and speech skills, for instance, if you present quarterly review updates to the leadership.
Time-bound
Setting deadlines for tasks can help you prioritize your workload and increase your motivation. Many objectives have just one due date, like the end of the month or year. There may be a regular time limit for other behaviors, such as twice a week. Choose a deadline that will allow you to finish your task but will still hold you accountable.
10 examples of SMART goal setting for communication
Here are some examples to assist you in creating your own communication-related SMART goals:
1. Written presentation
By the end of the quarter, improve the general clarity and impact of each individual slide you create for business presentations. Ask your coworkers for honest feedback to gauge your progress, and try to cut back on questions by 10%. By taking classes in presentation design or having a professional look over your slides, you can make them better.
2. Verbal presentation
Reduce the number of times you use the words “um” and “uh” in your verbal presentations. If you speak aloud on tape, keep track of the words you use that aren’t necessary. Reduce your use of those words by 25–50% before your next scheduled meeting through practice and honest feedback.
3. Vocabulary
Increase your vocabulary for talking to other experts in your field. Learn five new words per week that are used frequently at work, such as jargon, acronyms, and process names. To locate and learn new terms, try using online and printed resources related to the industry.
4. Writing
By improving your grammar, you can send business emails that are of higher quality and more professionally. Use a grammar checker or browser extension, get feedback on your writing, and read articles about sentence construction. Your emails should be at least 90% free of common grammatical errors by the end of the year.
5. Surveys
10% more questionnaires completed and returned will increase the response rate of the survey you are in charge of by. To do this, change the questions you ask, make sure your recipients can easily give you feedback, and ask them about their experience.
6. Response time
Before the end of the month, cut the average response time to internal communications by at least three hours. Review your habits and evaluate strategies to reduce time-wasting activities. Schedule designated times to reply to emails and memos. Organize your inbox to confirm you receive all important communications.
7. Team-building
By the end of the month, use appropriate gestures and posture when speaking to colleagues, and develop positive body language that is used at least 80% of the time. Ask those around you for feedback on your improvement as you practice in front of a mirror to learn what proper movements should look and feel like.
8. Collaboration
By taking part in three different optional group projects by the end of the summer, you can improve your ability to work with others. To identify your strengths and weaknesses, evaluate your performance reviews and the direct feedback you receive from group members. Record your observations to help plan future goals.
9. Motivation
Encourage new team members to contribute as evidenced by a 10% increase in output by the end of the month and an apparent enthusiasm for the job. Do this by introducing weekly check-ins. Use the meetings to acknowledge their accomplishments, address any questions they may have, and help them create SMART goals for themselves.
10. Meetings
Twice-monthly meetings with your team can help to promote improved open communication. The frequency and caliber of conversations you have outside of meetings will determine your level of success. To promote development, give out communication exercises, reading material, and staff-led discussions. Take note of team conversations to determine success.
SMART Goals Quick Overview with 21 SMART Goals Examples
FAQ
What is a smart goal for communication?
The following are some wise objectives for enhancing communication skills: Reducing the use of phrases to avoid in conversations Focusing on tone or speed of speech. Using more positive and encouraging words.
What are some examples of communication goals?
- Create clear communication with no ambiguity. …
- Improve the communication response rate. …
- Establish and improve relationships. …
- Diversify communication delivery. …
- Share your purpose. …
- Create positive change with reinforcement. …
- Use storytelling to be more relatable.
What are the 5 communication goals?
Whether it’s interpersonal or business communication, the main objectives of communication are to inform, influence, inspire, and motivate people as well as to build relationships, learn, find inspiration, market oneself, and socialize.
What are the 4 goals of communication?
Both the sender and the receiver must be sensitively involved for business communication to be successful, but the sender is ultimately responsible for achieving the four fundamental goals of business communication: Receiver understanding Receiver response. Favorable relationship.
