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Industry Brief

The Evolution of SMART Goal Setting 2.0: Strategic, Motivational, Accountable, Rewarding, and Transparent

Michelle Pink | CREW Calgary
Career Development

As we adapt to the rapidly evolving talent landscape, it’s essential to rethink our approach to goal setting. Recruitment and retention have changed dramatically over the past few decades, with teams increasingly seeking meaning, experiences, and overall happiness in their work. 

Historically, the formula for happiness was straightforward: go to college, secure a good job, buy a house, and start a family. Following this path guaranteed happiness and fulfillment. However, as this formula has been dismantled, particularly in the post-COVID era, the focus has shifted to how work aligns with personal growth and contributions to the community. Companies are now recognizing the need to foster not just professional skills but personal development as well, facilitating holistic growth that benefits both the employee and the organization. 

Simply trading time for money no longer satisfies today’s workforce. The current SMART goal model fails to bridge the gap between organizational objectives and meaningful engagement that today’s employees seek: 

  • Specific 

  • Measurable 

  • Achievable 

  • Relevant 

  • Time-based 

The importance of individual targets in business is still paramount. Goal setting keeps employees motivated, provides accountability, understanding the alignment to a company’s objectives and ultimately generating overall organizational performance.  

However, as the talent landscape has evolved, so must how we look at goal setting. The original smart goal platform no longer aligns with the expectations of our team; rather, we must move forward towards Smart Goals 2.0: 

By adopting SMART Goals 2.0, individuals and organizations can better adapt to the evolving talent landscape, promoting a more engaged and productive environment. This updated approach to goal setting acknowledges the shifting dynamics of work and human motivation, emphasizing the importance of developing both the person and the professional. By investing in holistic employee growth, organizations foster greater success, fulfillment, and loyalty among their teams.